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Mayor Samantha Squailia submits revised FY27 budget with $410,000 in reductions; council reviews appropriations
Summary
At a June 18 council meeting, Mayor Samantha Squailia presented a revised FY27 operating budget that includes $410,000 in additional reductions intended to avoid seeking funds beyond proposed free cash usage; the agenda included multiple appropriations and transfers affecting the tax levy and enterprise funds.
Mayor Samantha Squailia submitted a revised Fiscal Year 2027 operating budget at the Council as a Whole Committee meeting on June 18, announcing "$410,000 in additional reductions" and saying the council's earlier rejection of the proposed budget "makes clear that more work is required." The mayor framed the revisions as part of a multi-year effort to reduce Fitchburg's reliance on one-time free cash to support recurring services.
The revised package lists the Mayor's FY27 totals: a General Fund appropriation of $190,961,167; Water Enterprise $9,997,019; Wastewater Enterprise $18,316,809; and Airport Fund $1,137,919. The agenda also included several transfers and appropriations intended to lower the tax levy, including $700,000 from overlay surplus, $250,000 from the Stabilization Fund, and $3,776,232 from available funds. The record shows an ARPA-related entry charging $410,000 against ARPA available funds and crediting that amount to the FY27 tax levy.
Finance team line items for the enterprise funds were recorded on the agenda. The Water Enterprise breakdown lists Personal Services $2,484,996; Expenses $2,695,000; Indirect Costs $1,597,530; Debt Service $1,739,493; and Capital Expenses $1,480,000. The Wastewater Enterprise was recorded with Personal Services $3,094,481; Expenses $4,637,600; Indirect Costs $1,710,830; Debt Service $7,196,648; and Capital Expenses $1,677,250. The Airport Fund line items were recorded as Personal Services $363,206 and Expenses $774,713.
In her statement the mayor said Fitchburg has "relied on free cash one-time funds to support recurring operating costs," called that approach unsustainable, and committed to a transparent, multi-year plan toward fiscal stability. The transcript does not record a vote or final action on the budget items at this meeting; the agenda item is recorded as "Fiscal Year 2027 Operating Budget - Amended 6-11-26."
Next steps: the record shows the revised budget and related appropriation orders on the agenda for committee consideration; the transcript does not record final votes or formal adoption during this meeting.
