Framingham Councilor Stefanini Proposes 4 Fiscal Meetings in 2021

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FRAMINGHAM – District 8 City Councilor John Stefanini is proposing 4 meetings in 2021 to “dramatically improve communication between Mayor Spicer, the Council, and Councilors” during the budget process.

The Mayor submits a budget to the Council by May 1 annually, under the City’s charter.

In a memo, sent to multiple news outlets, Councilor Stefanini wrote “our annual process for approving our municipal budget is a prime example of these failings and its impact on residents. If we are to achieve fiscal efficiencies, increase community engagement and awareness, and infuse more creativity into our annual fiscal blueprint, then we should begin by creating predictable and transparent forums to openly discuss our fiscal affairs.”

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He proposed a new rule “Rule 13d. Budgetary Forums: The Council Chair shall, in accordance with its investigative powers as provided by Article II of the Framingham Home Rule Charter, work with the Administration to organize an agenda item for the full council at the council meeting for each said month as follows:”

1. March: Report of the Mayor and Administration officials, and state legislative delegation on the current actuals and next fiscal year projections for all municipal revenues, including data from the previous nine fiscal years;
2. April: Report from the Administration and city auditor on the efficacy and efficiency of appropriations for the current and nine previous fiscal years by department and by program, including but not limited to staffing levels for each;
3. September: Report of the Administration on the condition, utility and need of all municipal assets, real and personal, including a five-year plan for each;
   and,
4. December: Report from the Administration on monthly Allotments for the previous and current fiscal year, comparing the benchmarks set at the beginning of each fiscal year with actual performance by department and by program for each month.
   

“The simple goal is to get a better process and thus a better fiscal blueprint,” said Stefanini.

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The adoption of the rule would take a simple majority of the 11-member Council.

The Council could vote on this item on Tuesday night, January 5, or vote to send it to the Council’s rules subcommittee.

The members of the School Committee, library trustees, cemetery trustees, and multiple-member bodies shall be invited to participate, added Stefanini.

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