Despite Tough Economy, Boston's Proposed 2012 Budget has Bright Outlook

Yes, America still has a depressed economy, but while Boston has also felt repercussions of state and federal funding cuts, the city's 2012 budget has bright spots - such as the renovations of several neighborhood parks. 

In the next year park renovations are expected to take place in Brewer Burroughs in Jamaica Plain, Cook Street in Charlestown, Ringgold in South End, and Draper in West Roxbury.  

On Friday Boston Mayor Thomas Menino met with media outlets to discuss the proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2012 and its impacts on Boston's neighborhoods. The recommended budget is set to increase at total of $58.7 million, or a 2.5 increase from last year's to $2.4 billion.

The is currently discussing the budget, which needs to be passed by the last day of June for it to be included in the FY 2012 budget. Click here for the proposed FY2012 budget.

Menino stressed proposed capital plan projects will help with economic recovery. Various new projects in Beacon Hill, Back Bay, Charlestown, Jamaica Plain, the South End, and West Roxbury are in the capitol plan for this year, as well as moving forward for future years.

The City has also reached out to form new partnerships with two dozen nonprofits and private partners to expand the impact of public spending, said Menino.

But the Mayor is still hoping for corporations to help fill 1,400 Boston Summer Youth job positions once funded by private corporations, while the City has level-funded its commitment to Boston summer youth jobs. 

Despite the slight increased funding, fiscal challenges remain. Property tax accounts for 66 percent of revenue, according to city statistics. The loss of $37.1 million (or 15 percent)  in net state aid for FY 2012 has tightened the belts of council members as they attempt to focus on dwindling resources. 

Said Menino, "The most important part of government is maintaining what we have." 

Minimal decreases are proposed for the Boston Police (0.8%), and Public Works (0.5%) departments. 

Overall, the five-year capital plan proposed by Menino includes 293 projects, for a proposed total of $1.7 billion. According to statistics provided by the City, 23 percent of this will account for major renovations to infrastructure projects like the Massachusetts Avenue bridge, or rehabilitation to public facilities like the and Playground in West Roxbury. 

The play lots and landscape for the Draper Playground in West Roxbury, Brewer Burroughs in Jamaica Plain, as well as Cook Street in Charlestown will be improved in the coming year. The ball field at Barry Playground in Charlestown will also be improved, as will Ringgold Park in the South End.

Always looking to be an environmental leaders for the rest of the Commonwealth, Menino proudly added,"18,000 energy-efficient LED street lights replacements will take place by the end of 2012 to save a projected $1.7 million in energy savings for the City. Despite the recession, we are investing in our neighborhoods." 

Looking to help small businesses and individuals, Menino has introduced a one-stop permitting center at 1010 Mass Ave. in an attempt to make permitttng more accessible to constituents. A new online hub called BizHub is in the works to accelerate the process of attaining or updating permits, but is not online yet, but will be in the coming year. 

Menino also touted that new school-based health resource centers will be created through a partnership of the Boston Public Schools and the Boston Public Health Commission that will offer family planning counseling, health education, and mental health services to youth. The new program will operate under a three-year plan, which will hopefully help cut healthcare costs by providing greater access. Community health centers will continue to expand their involvement in affordable health care, said Menino.