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Westfield presents multi‑year SB1 revenue hit; administration proposes 6% cuts and hiring freeze while declining immediate tax hikes
Summary
City of Westfield officials and municipal advisers told the council an overhaul of state property‑tax rules (SB1/SCA1) could cost the city millions over 2026–2028, and presented a menu of responses — including a 6% budget reduction, hiring freeze for non‑public‑safety positions and possible local income‑tax adjustments in 2027–28.
Westfield officials and municipal advisers told the City Council on Monday that changes under SB1/SCA1 could reduce the city’s operating revenue by millions of dollars over the next three years, and laid out options officials would consider in the 2027 budget cycle.
Oscar, the city’s municipal adviser from Bondri Consulting, said the city’s conservative revenue projection assumes continued assessed‑value growth but warned the removal of levy appeals will substantially limit operating‑levy increases beginning in 2027. He presented estimated net operational losses of about $2.8 million in 2026, $7.1 million in 2027 and $12.6 million in 2028 after some offset from reduced circuit‑breaker losses.
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