Worcester city councilors return Tuesday to a chock full agenda that includes a $1 billion dollar budget, a leaking and outdated police headquarters, potholes, school safety, snow removal, downtown bathrooms, accessory dwelling units and the status of the Worcester Memorial Auditorium (The Aud).
The city’s proposed Fiscal Year 2027 budget would push Worcester’s operating budget past $1 billion for the first time. Mayor Joseph Petty, as chair of the Finance Committee, is asking the council to suspend its rules to take up the committee report on City Manager Eric Batista’s proposed FY27 operating budget, along with related budget items already pending before the committee.
The proposed spending plan would increase city spending by about $43.6 million over the current fiscal year, with much of the growth tied to education, infrastructure, pensions, health insurance and public safety. Education remains the largest share of the budget, with Worcester Public Schools, charter school assessments, school choice and special education costs totaling about $612.4 million…