5

THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 1, 2026 Page 5 BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 ment, as well as across most municipal departments. The FY27 proposal is for $240.3 million, which represents a meager 1.8% increase over last year’s FY26 figure of $236.1 million. In his transmittal letter, Mayor Christenson stressed that while this year’s budget proposal is a level-funded budget from the previous fiscal year, it still imposes a near $10 million structural budget deficit. “A level service budget, defined as continuing current service levels and meeting contractual and expected obligations, yielded an almost $10 million structural deficit,” Mayor Christenson stated in his transmittal letter to the Council. “It is entirely consistent with the scope of the problem we shared with the City Council and the public during discussions on an override.” After a five-month campaign by city officials seeking a Proposition 2 1/2 property tax override, Malden voters rejected the proposal in a special election held on March 31. The override bid was defeated by just 124 votes, a razor-thin 51-49 percent margin on a day when the turnout mirrored recent city elections, just 15 percent of registered voters. The so-called “other shoe” dropped on Tuesday, in the form of the unveiling of the city budget for the first time. In his letter, the Mayor detailed how the FY27 proposal addresses the nearly $10 million deficit, as state law mandates cities and towns submit a balanced budget by a June 30 deadline. “As a result, this budget proposes cuts totaling approximately $4.5 million. To fund the gap, I am proposing that $5.2 million be used from our reserves. It is not enough to put us on a sustainable path but it is a start,” the Mayor added. Malden’s cash reserves — often called by the misnomer “free cash”— are also sometimes referred to as the “rainy day” fund. In the FY26 budget last year, Malden also used $5.2 in free cash to cover some of the budget. “Free cash” is essentially the city’s savings account and is looked at closely when determining credit ratings and is crucial in establishing interest rates for municipal borrowing. Approximately $4.5 million & 32 jobs projected to be cut for Malden for FY27 The approximately $4.5 million in municipal budget cuts for FY27 are primarily in the form of the elimination of some 32 fulland part-time jobs. Included are the following: • Public Safety/Police — elimination of three open positions (Police Officers); elimination of all five Cadet positions ($575,000) • Public Safety/Fire — elimination of five positions (Firefighters, $550,000) • Library — elimination of one position (Custodian, $75,000) • Department of Public Works — elimination of the open Assistant Director position ($130,000) • Restructuring of Boards/ Commissions — reducing pay for most boards/commissions; additionally, proposing to reduce the size of three boards/ commissions ($80,000) • Operational Budget Cuts/Enhancements — includes one recommendation for revenue enhancement on commercial permit fees ($600,000) • Elimination of FY27 Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) increases — across all open contracts; will propose 0% increase for open union contracts for FY27 ($1.1 million) • Operational Budget Cuts — various operational line item reductions as outlined in the departmental-level budgets • General Government — elimination of 17 positions across all area of government, specifically: ASSESSORS: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. CEMETERY: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. CITY CLERK: Reduce by 80% funding for a contracted employee. ENGINEERING: Shift funding for part-time employees to a grant. HEALTH: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time Clerk, 1.0 Full-Time Language Access Coordinator and a PT (10 hr.) Nurse. INFORMATION TECH: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Assistant Director position. INSPECTIONAL SERVICES: Eliminate funding for .50 FTE Clerk and 1.0 Full-Time Rehab. Specialist. LEGAL: Reduction in hours for two PT Asst. City Solicitors and Special Counsel. OSPCD: Eliminate funding for WHO CAN APPLY? First-Time Homebuyers Meet income & asset limits (see AMI chart) 100% AMI | UNIT #4 | 2 BED | $352,749 | $350 HOA Members of Household Maximum Income 100% AMI 1 2 3 $112,650 $128,750 $144,850 Assets must be under $150K for 100% AMI households. Down payment help available for eligible buyers Restrictions Apply – Units have resale and use restrictions Check Income Limits & Prices by Household Size Questions or Accommodations? Call Winn Management: 617-884-0692 | TTY: 800-439-2370 272 Cross Street LLC and Winn Management do not discriminate because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, handicap, disability, national origin, genetic information, ancestry, children, familial status, marital status or public assistance recipiency in the sale or transfer of apartment units, buildings, and related facilities, including land that they own or control. APPLY AT: ALSO AVAILABLE BY MAIL OR EMAIL 1.0 Planning and Development Specialists. PARKING: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Director/CSO (Eff. 1/1/27). PUBLIC FACILITIES: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. RECREATION: Eliminate funding for two Part-Time positions. SENIOR CENTER: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. TEEN CENTER: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. TREASURER: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position. VETERANS: Eliminate funding for 1.0 Full-Time clerk position; convert coordinator to 20 hrs. a week Funding for Education is proposed for $106.5 million in FY27 The budget appropriation proposal for Education, and its largest appropriation — $102.1 million for the Malden Public Schools — for FY27 is $106.5 million, which represents an increase of $4.96 million from the previous FY26 year, or approximately 4.3%. BUDGET | SEE PAGE 10 MERIT | FROM PAGE 1 na Ricciardone and Emma Wang earned this distinction based on their outstanding performance on the PSAT/NMSQT. “We are proud to see ten members of this class earn National Merit recognition, the highest number in Mystic Valley’s history and the largest share of a graduating class as well,” said Director/ Superintendent Alex Dan. Selected from more than 1.3 million students nationwide, these high-achieving juniors rank among the top 4% scorers in the country. Like us on Facebook advocate newspaper Facebook.com/Advocate.news.ma “WE’RE STILL HERE!” Since 1947 MALDEN AUTO BODY Book online: Maldenauto.com 49 Robin St., Everett, MA 617-389-3030 * Maldenab@yahoo.com Over 79 years of exceptional service! Massone Family Owned & Operated AFFORDABLE MALDEN CONDO Affordable Malden condo for first-time buyers 1 Newly Built, Affordable, Two-Bedroom Condo Available on a FirstCome, First-Served Basis www.tndinc.org homesweetaffordable.com 4 Gerrish Ave Chelsea MA

6 Publizr Home