FY2027 City Council Legislative Budget Review
We'll be updating this page with information regarding the Fiscal Year 2027 Budget review process.
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Have questions? Contact:
City Council
About the Process
Creation and Approval of the Municipal Budget
The Boston City Charter lays out the responsibilities and timeline for creation and approval of the City budget. The Mayor is in charge of creating the annual City operating budget, and submitting it to the City Council no later than the second Wednesday in April of each year. The City Council is responsible for reviewing this budget proposal, and voting on it no later than the second Wednesday in June. The Mayor also submits to the Council dockets related to spending and borrowing money and acquiring land to support the City's Capital Plan.
The City’s fiscal year runs from July 1 – June 30. We are currently in FY26. The upcoming fiscal year will be FY27.
FY27 City Council Review Process
The City Council begins planning and advocating for the budget in January. After the Mayor submits her budget proposal in April, the Council reviews the Mayor’s budget proposal from the middle of April until June. This process is run by the Chair of the Committee on Ways and Means, Councilor Benjamin J. Weber. This year, the process will involve approximately 35 public hearings, during which time the Council will hear from the departments that comprise the greatest percentage of the operating budget, as well as a few smaller departments. These hearings will also cover revolving funds and other budget-related appropriations. The Council will also have working sessions to discuss Councilors' budget priorities and potential amendments.
Council hearings will be held in the Iannella Chamber, on the fifth floor of Boston City Hall. The public is encouraged to watch all the hearings in person or via livestream or broadcast on Xfinity Channel 8, RCN Channel 82, and Fios 964.
Public testimony is welcomed and encouraged at all departmental hearings, as well as at dedicated public testimony hearings. See below for the hearing calendar and ways to testify!
Full Schedule
Schedule| Topic | Public Notice |
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| Committee Meeting: Departmental RFI | |
| Working Session: BPS RFI | |
| Pre-Budget Hearing: Healthcare (FY27 Projected Costs) | |
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Working Session: BPS FY27 Budget Priorities |
Monday, March 2, at 10 a.m. (Curley Room) |
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Policy Briefing: FY27 BPS Budget (with BPS in attendance) |
Thursday, March 5, at 10 a.m. (Piemonte Room) |
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Pre-Budget Hearing: FY27 Look-Ahead with Mayor's Office of Housing and Mayor's Office of Immigrant Advancement
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Thursday, March 5, at 2 p.m. (Iannella Chamber) |
| Public Testimony | |
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Working Session: Departmental FY27 Budget Priorities |
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Pre-Budget Hearing: FY26 Revenue Updates + FY27 Revenue Projections |
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Public Testimony |
| Topic | Public Notice |
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| Operating Overview | |
| Capital Overview | |
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Boston Public Schools (BPS)
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Boston Public Schools (BPS)
BPS Facilities Revolving Fund BPS Transportation Revolving Fund BPS Technology Revolving Fund |
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Boston Public Schools (BPS)
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Environment Department Conservation Commission Revolving Fund Distributed Energy Revolving Fund BERDO Revolving Fund Office of Food Justice |
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Labor Compliance and Worker Protections Law Department Property Damage Revolving Fund |
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| Office of Participatory Budgeting (PB) | |
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Department of Innovation and Technology (DOIT) PEG Access Fund |
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| Mayor's Office of Housing (MOH) | |
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Office of Neighborhood Services
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| Public Testimony Session #1 | |
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Office of Economic Opportunity and Inclusion Supplier Diversity |
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Consumer Affairs and Licensing Office of Tourism, Sports, and Entertainment Tourism Revolving Fund Office of Arts and Culture Strand Theater Revolving Fund Public Art Revolving Fund |
| Topic | Public Notice |
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| Working Session #1 | |
| Boston Transportation Department Bikeshare Revolving Fund Public Works Department |
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| Inspectional Services Department Property Management Public Facilities Department |
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Planning Department |
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Office of Human Services
Office of Workforce Development
Youth Employment and Opportunity |
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Boston Police Department (BPD)
Canine Revolving Fund |
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Boston Police Department (BPD)
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Boston Fire Department (BFD) |
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Parks and Recreation Department |
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Office of Equity |
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Office for Immigrant Advancement |
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Age Strong
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| Election Department | |
| Working Session #2 | |
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Office of Police Accountability and Transparency (OPAT) |
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Boston Centers for Youth and Families
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| Boston Public Library (BPL) | Tuesday, May 19, at 2 p.m. (Iannella Chamber) |
Boston Public Health Commission
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Boston Public Health Commission
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| Capital #2 | |
| Public Testimony Session #2 | |
| Working Session #3 | |
| Working Session #4 |
| Topic | Public Notice |
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| Working Session #5 | |
| Working Session #6 | Tuesday, June 2, at 10 a.m. (Curley Room) |
Hearing Materials
Hearing Materials
Related links
RelatedCommittee Chair
Who's Involved:
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Have questions? Contact:
City Council
