The Fall River City Council approved the city’s $483.6 million Fiscal Year 2027 budget Tuesday, ending a nearly two-month impasse that had forced the city to operate under temporary monthly spending measures since the start of the fiscal year on July 1.
The budget passed by an 8-1 vote after councilors amended the mayor’s proposal to fully fund the School Department’s transportation budget, the primary issue that had stalled approval for weeks.
The School Committee had requested $17.1 million for transportation, while Mayor Paul Coogan’s budget allocated $16.65 million, leaving a $450,000 shortfall. During the meeting, Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and Chief Financial Officer Emily Arpke answered questions from councilors, who expressed concern about approving a budget that did not fully cover a state-mandated expense.
Councilor Shawn Cadime proposed transferring $450,000 from the city’s reserve fund to eliminate the gap. Following a brief recess to revise the appropriation order, the council approved the amendment before voting to adopt the full budget.
The budget’s approval followed a compromise between the City Council and the Coogan administration that also resolved a dispute over the council’s ability to retain outside legal counsel. Councilors voted 8-1 to adopt a memorandum of agreement establishing guidelines for the future use of outside attorneys.
During public comment, School Committee member Collin Dias urged the council to approve the full transportation funding request and accused the mayor of bullying Interim Superintendent Smith. Several councilors questioned the allegation, saying no evidence had been presented to support the claim.
The council also voted to reject a temporary continuing appropriation order that was no longer needed following the budget’s passage and approved a salary amendment ordinance for the city’s Director of Health and Human Services before adjourning.
