Mayor Katjana Ballantyne has submitted Somerville’s fiscal year 2025 budget proposal. The proposed budget for FY25 includes major investments in schools and workforce equity, as well as building on resources for core city services.

Highlights from the City’s $360 million budget include:
More than 36 new, net full-time-equivalent positions for Somerville Public Schools.
Funding for union contracts that closes wage gaps, and will help ensure fair and competitive wages for all City workers.
Continued funding for the Taxi to Health program and the Council on Aging’s multicultural performance and lunch series to provide needed services and enrichment for our seniors and persons with disabilities.
A pilot curbside composting program.

“As our youth continue to climb back from profound pandemic impacts and prepare for their futures, we must provide the resources they need. That includes comprehensive core learning, enrichment, out-of-school time activities, and family, health, and mental health supports that will best help them thrive, develop, learn, and prepare for success.” said Mayor Ballantyne.
“I am proud to submit a budget that squarely reflects our community’s values and our clear and constant goal: to create a thriving, more equitable Somerville today and for generations to come,” said Ballantyne. “To achieve that across the board, we must shore up the bedrock resource that makes all City functions possible: our workers. We must pay our union and non-union workers fairly and equitably. It is both the right thing to do, and it makes good economic sense. Worker turnover and vacancies are costly and harm service delivery. And in Somerville, we are striving to lead the way in addressing pay gaps — including gender gaps. We cannot accept unequal pay for equal work, and this budget is designed to take that on.”

Attend the Budget Public Hearing on Tuesday, June 4, at City Hall (93 Highland Ave.) at 6 p.m. to give feedback and have your voice heard.