WESTFIELD – On Monday, June 27, the City Council will host a public hearing on the budget beginning at 6:00 p.m. in City Council Chambers.
Members of the public are invited to come and weigh in on matters of importance to them regarding city services.
The Finance Committee would also like to give residents a chance to address the tax impact of the current budget. According to Ward 5 Councilor Robert A. Paul, Sr., who chairs the committee, the current budget as presented by Mayor Brian P. Sullivan assumes a $2.3 million increase in residential and commercial taxes in order to balance. It also contains $500,000 revenue in hotel and meal taxes, and $982,000 out of Free Cash.
The tax increase for residents with a $250,000 valuation on their homes will be $170, according to Finance Committee member and At-Large Councilor David Flaherty, who added that the budget is 3.5% over last year.
The budget will be presented by department at the hearing, and residents will have an opportunity to briefly address the Council with comments and suggestions on each item.
“Everybody will have a chance to bring their message,” Paul said.
Finance Committee members will consider the public’s input during their final meeting on Tuesday, June 28 at 6 p.m. in Room 315, at which time they will finalize their recommendations to the City Council. On Wednesday, June 29, they will present their recommendations to the full Council during a budget workshop, beginning at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers.
On Thursday, June 30, the City Council will hold a special meeting beginning at 7:00 p.m. in Council Chambers to vote on passage of the budget. If no vote on recommendations is passed at that meeting, the current budget will be finalized.
