It’s time to fully fund and fix Medford’s biggest challenges

Yesterday, the Council passed the FY24 budget with significant amendments to increase funding for our schools, library, and for zoning reform. 

I was only able to vote yes because we reached an agreement with the Mayor to create a better budget process for Medford. This agreement advances many elements of the Medford Better Future Budget Plan. 

The city has serious needs to fund our schools, fix our streets, and fully staff our city departments. Next year, we need to incorporate nearly 50 staff positions into the budget that are currently paid for by one-time funds. Now, the Council and the public will be involved from Day One.

We have a lot of work to implement this agreement over the coming weeks and months, but if we do it faithfully, we will create a real plan to fully fund and fix our city’s biggest challenges.

Between now and December, you should be on the lookout for the following:

• Council meetings this Fall to finalize a better budget process prior to next year’s budget that includes:
  • Starting budget meetings with Department Heads in January
  • Formal Council budget recommendations before the Mayor submits her budget
  • Regular reports assessing the full cost of the city’s operating and capital budget needs 
• Announcement of a Financial Task Force including Councilors, School Committee Members, and city staff to plan how we will fund major capital projects and address underfunding of operating expenses 
• Further discussion this Summer on the Council’s proposed amendments to the city charter a/k/a the Better Budget Charter Ballot Questions
• Exploring the use of one-time funds to support robust budget planning and the new better budget process

I plan to work in good faith with my Council colleagues, the Mayor, and city staff to implement this agreement and build the better future everyone in our city deserves.