Beverly council hears hours of testimony on proposed FY26 budget; finance committee refers proposal to full council

The Beverly City Council on Wednesday opened a public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget and heard roughly 30 public speakers—mostly educators, parents and school employees—raising alarms about staffing and program cuts before the Finance and Property subcommittee voted to refer Order 171, the mayor’s FY26 budget proposal, to the full council for final action on Monday, June 23, 2025.

Why it matters: The hearing centered on proposed reductions that city school staff and parents say would significantly affect Beverly Middle School, preschool staffing and special-education services. Council staff and the city finance director told the council that state law and the city charter largely limit the council to approving or reducing the mayor’s submissions, and that failure to adopt a budget by the start of the fiscal year would trigger operational disruptions and other risks.

City budget overview and council guidance

Jerry Perry, the city council’s budget analyst, gave an overview of the municipal process and financial position. "It is my strong recommendation, as your budget analyst and management analyst that you vote Monday night to do a budget," Perry said, explaining that without an appropriation for July 1 the city would face interruptions in payroll and essential services. Perry said the mayor’s proposal includes new appropriations and new growth but that the city is at the levy limit and has no excess levy capacity.

City Finance Director Brian Ailes clarified procedural options and timing. Ailes told the council there are two formal actions the body can take: approve or reduce the budget; if the council takes no action, a 45-day provision tied to the mayor’s submission would allow the mayor’s proposed amounts to take effect automatically on July 17, 2025. Ailes and Perry also discussed the use of…