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Revere council adopts $286.8 million FY26 budget, approves funding and ordinances in wide-ranging vote
Summary
The Revere City Council adopted the FY2026 budget and approved a series of loan orders, ordinance amendments, appropriations and event funding on June 23, 2025, while directing other items to committee or public hearing.
The Revere City Council on June 23 adopted a $286,794,909 budget for fiscal year 2026 and approved a range of related financial and policy measures, including a $4 million loan order for sewer construction, new water rates and several ordinance changes.
Why it matters: The package sets the city’s revenue and spending priorities for the year beginning July 1, 2025, and includes dedicated funding for large projects — notably construction tied to a consent decree and the new Revere High School — plus recurring program appropriations and changes to local codes.
The council voted, by roll call, to adopt the FY26 budget as submitted by the mayor in accordance with Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 44, § 32. The full appropriation adopted was $286,794,909.
Other financial votes - Loan order: The council approved a loan order of $4,000,000 for “Phase 16 construction,” construction project number 19086, to continue work required under the city’s consent decree. The council also approved a related resolution for the same project. - Water rates: Pursuant to Revere Revised Ordinances § 13-4.13, the council adopted new water rates effective for billings on and after July 1, 2025: $5.05 per 100 cubic feet for residential property and $8.37 per 100 cubic feet for commercial property. - High school energy credits: The council voted to dedicate 100% of revenues from energy credits and reimbursements arising from construction of the new Revere High School (collected under Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 64L) to the High School Stabilization Fund to support future debt payments. - Retirement COLA: The retirement board’s 3% cost-of-living adjustment (COLA) for FY26 was reported and placed on file; the council also approved raising the COLA base from $13,000 to $14,000 pursuant to Mass. Gen. Laws ch. 32, triggering a modest long-term liability estimate discussed by staff.
Appropriations and events - Sand sculpting festival: After debate and a failed substitute motion to reduce funding, the council approved a $140,000 appropriation from free cash to support the annual sand sculpting festival. Council discussion noted a recent $89,000 grant from the gaming commission that will offset public safety costs; the mayor said the city also provides in-kind public safety support. - Opioid abatement: The council approved an appropriation of $143,000 from the opioid abatement trust fund to implement a five-year spending plan focused on housing, prevention/community engagement and harm-reduction services.
Ordinances, licenses and appointments - Several ordinance amendments were engrossed and ordained, including housekeeping changes to Title 2, a change to financial impact statement thresholds, vacant building regulation updates, and parity salary adjustments tied to collective bargaining agreements. An ordinance on poles, wires and cables was left in committee for further work. - License actions: The council revoked a Chapter 148 license for 870 Broadway and ordered other license matters to public hearing as noted below. - Appointment: The council voted to confirm Judith Gosselin to the Affordable Housing Trust Fund board following a brief biographical introduction.
What’s next: Several measures — including the pole/wire ordinance and multiple zoning or licensing matters — were kept in committee or ordered to public hearing for additional review.
Ending: The series of votes concluded the council’s June 23 meeting and set fiscal and regulatory direction for the city through FY26 and several multiyear initiatives.
