By Kyle Dante

The final revisions of the Somerville FY 2023 were decided on June 22 and followed up the next day. Upon reviewing all of the departments, the City Council cut $676,219 from the proposed $292,720,095 budget.

The following departments received budget cuts:

• Police Department: $127,833 in AV supplies for body cameras (Ordinary Maintenance), $277,000 reduced from salary (Personal Services), $27,330 reduced in a monthly vacancy of six positions (Personal Services)
• Office of Accountability, Transparency, & Access- $89,821 reduced for contact lines (Personal Services), $114,312 reduced from Executive Branch (Personal Services), $20,000 reduced (Ordinary Maintenance lines)
• SPD- $134,235 reduced (Personal Services)

Additionally, these funds amounts were added to the respective department:

• Health and Human Services- $200,000 for an unarmed alternative emergency response
• Park Department Professor and Technical Services- $25,000 allocated for translation
• Communications & Community Engagement Department- $4,500 for a Braille printer; also increased funding in Ordinary Maintenance for hybrid meetings

The final budget is polarizing for departments and residents, with Councilor William Burnley not voting; he advocated for $200,000 for an alternative non-emergency response, which the budget lacks. Councilor Charlotte Kelly expressed disappointment in failing to meet multiple Committee requests; with over 350 questions asked by Committee heads, it is not a surprise.

When evaluating the 2023 budgets, the Police Department and SPD suffered the most, facing several vaccines and service reductions. The SPD faces six Police Department vacancies; that, along with a decreasing salary budget, creates a problem for them.

Somerville residents are struggling, too. The complaints go back to the previous two budgets in 2021 and 2022. Kelly also notes that many have left Somerville, citing high costs. Some of the decisions within the budget also do not favor residents either. For example, repairs for non-Elm Street streets. Even with some provisions listed above, it is frustrating to many.

Despite accommodating as best as possible, the 2023 budget from City Council remains a contentious matter in light of announced cuts.