Somerville City Council Approves FY2026 Budget

SOMERVILLE, MA — The City Council voted to approve the city’s capital budget for Fiscal Year 2026 during its most recent meeting.

The operating budget totals $380.1 million, which marks approximately a $20 million increase compared to FY25. It features a $112.3 allocation for the public school district, which is a 5.2% increase compared to the previous year according to Ballantyne. $1.5 million in union contract contingency funds and $750,000 in school reserves add an additional 2.4%.

The budget includes the establishment of a Supportive Housing Task Force, improvement to dispatch and traffic signals infrastructure for faster emergency response, and a curbside compost pickup program for 1,000 households.

The budget was developed by Mayor Katjana Ballantyne.

“I won’t sugar coat it. Federal uncertainty looms, the economy is slowing, and costs are rising. We are navigating serious headwinds. This budget however offers a blueprint for how we can best meet today’s needs and tomorrow’s goals,” Ballantyne said. “We’re showing that with the right vision, strong partnerships, and a bit of creativity, cities can lead even in tough times.”