Newton Fiscal Year 2021 Budget: Revenue Takes A Hit

NEWTON, MA —Newton Mayor Ruthanne Fuller said she's had to make "unpleasant and difficult decisions" about cuts to the city budget as the city revenues have taken a hit amid the coronavirus pandemic. In the same breath, Fuller said Newton was still a "rock solid" place in which to live.

Fuller is set to present the City of Newton’s Fiscal Year 2021 Budget to the Newton City Council during a virtual Zoom meeting May 11.

"This was not the budget I was preparing to present before the COVID-19 crisis began and the dire health and financial realities unfolded," Fuller said in a statement. "As the budget presentation will show, dreams are being deferred and important initiatives postponed."

Read more: Newton City Hall Furloughs 100 Employees Amid Coronavirus Crisis

The mayor stressed that even with cuts, the budget still reflected the "city's values."

Without going into the numbers or indicating whether any of these roles would see cuts Fuller said essential services from teachers, to police and firefighters will still be able to do their jobs. She said Newton city staff would still plow snow, fix potholes and collect trash. And the city would continue to provide human services for older and vulnerable populations in the city.

"We will stay nimble, responding to changing economic conditions by either holding back on spending if need be or moving forward with important initiatives if possible," she said.

The Zoom City Council meeting begins at 7:45 p.m. on May 11.

You can tune into the meeting to speak by joining the Zoom call at https://us02web.zoom.us/j/905404917 ( use the meeting ID: 905 404 917).

You can also watch a live broadcast on NewTV’s government channel (Comcast 9, RCN 13, 614(HD), Verizon 33), or on NewTV’s Vimeo channel here.

Previously:

• Newton Coronavirus: Positive Cases Up And Down, Here's Why
• High School Zoom-Bombed With Racist Rant, Again
• Newton Mayor 'Strongly Encourages' Face Masks Amid Coronavirus
• Newton Heroes: Help Patch Recognize People Making A Difference
• Newton Rallies, Raises $650K For People In Need Amid Coronavirus
• Newton City Hall Furloughs 100 Employees Amid Coronavirus Crisis

Patch reporter Jenna Fisher can be reached at Jenna.Fisher@patch.com or by calling 617-942-0474. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram (@ReporterJenna).