THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 23, 2025 Page 5 Malden FY2026 City Budget: Priorities and Issues H ere are some of the guides used by the City of Malden Budget Team in shaping this year’s municipal budget: —Starting the Transition Away from Federal Dollars • American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds have allowed for funding some new initiatives, positions and priorities on the City of Malden and Public Schools side. • December of 2024 was the cutoff for encumbering funds; must be actually spent by the end of 2026. • The last $3.2 million of Malden’s initial allotment of $45.7 million in 2021 was included and will be spent in this year’s FY2026 budget. • Need to start the thoughtful transition to avoid a jarring change. —Continued Focus on Lead Line Replacements • Maximize the potential of the American Rescue Plan Act in advancing the lead line replacement initiative. • Expansion of lead line replacement to the private side. • Prudent utilization of Massachusetts Water Resource Authority programs with forgiveness provisions for the same. —Continuing Commitment to Diversity, Equity and Inclusion • The budget fully funds the previously added position of a Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Coordinator and the continuation of funding added last year for associated support. • $350,000 committed by the Mayor to improve language access is not reflected in the budget, as that is funded by the ARPA funds . • Plan for School Funding Changes and NE Voke. —Significant local dollars will be required to meet the SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of ALWAYS READY TO SERVE YOU: Our Staff are, Emma Davidson, Jeimy Sanchez, Josephine Leone, Marie D’Amore, Rocco Longo, Z’andre Lopez, Anthony DiPierro, Darius Goudreau, Laurette Murphy, Danielle Goudreau and Tina Davidson. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM required local contribution, which is formula driven and not optional in order to meet net school spending requirements. • Northeast Voke school building costs will add $1.3 million in new expenses to the City budget in FY2026 and beyond. Drive Utilization and Revenue for Parking Garages • Post-COVID return to the office has been slow and sporadic resulting in light usage of garages and declining revenue. • Validation programs to support business haven’t driven revenue; we will transition to more revenue generating approaches by the end of 2023. • Must find users for capacity, as garages are resource intensive and in constant need of capital repairs.
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