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THE REVERE ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 5, 2026 Page 7 PROPOSES | FROM Page 1 taxes are going to increase signifi cantly. Local receipts are estimated to add $23.7 million to the revenue total, a.6 increase over 2026. Local receipts include $7.5 million in motor vehicle excise tax, $3.4 million in hotel room tax, $1.3 million in meals excise tax, $3.7 million for licenses and permits and $3.0 million in investment income. According to Viscay, local receipts are expected to increase 2 to 3 percent per year. Revere is expecting an estimated $125 million in state aid based on the State Senate’s 2027 budget. The city estimates it will receive $108.4 million in Chapter 70 funding for the Revere School district. Also included in state aid is $13.3 million in unrestricted general government aid, or UGGA. The Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund accounts for $37.7 million in revenue, while the Solid Waste Enterprise Fund brings in $390,000. Viscay then moved on to the city’s expenses. The city estimates spending $10 million on general government uses and needs. The budget calls for $35.2 million in public safety spending. Although Viscay did not break that total down according to departments, he did mention that the Police Department will hire two new uniformed officers. Chief Maria LaVita will restructure the civilian workforce, and a part-time position for body cam administration was created. The Fire Department will hire two new uniformed officers, and three new fi re trucks, one ladder and two pumper trucks are scheduled to be delivered in 2027. The 911 emergency call center is level funded. Viscay noted that the addition of Chelsea to the regional call center will lead to future savings. The full-time staff at the Parking Department was reduced and replaced with parttime staff . Viscay said parking enforcement has become a 24-hour-a-day job. The city expects to spend $133 million on the school district. This is the minimum contribution that the city can make to comply with Department of Elementary and Secondary Education (DESE) regulations. The $133 million represents operating costs only for Revere Public Schools. The city expects to spend an additional $4.9 million to support regional schools, especially Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School. Revere students make up 20 percent of the Voke’s student population. Expenses for the Department of Public Works were listed as $5.1 million. Viscay said the DPW will take over all facilities management. The snow and ice defi cit is being raised to approximately $1 million. And staff will be cut by one full-time employee — replaced by a parttime worker. The Health & Human Services budget is estimated at $2.2 million and includes expenses for the Department of Public Health, Elder Services, Veterans Services and the Commission on Disabilities. No significant changes are expected in those programs. The Culture and Recreation budget is $2.4 million and includes funding for the library, the Parks and Recreation Department, the Haas Health and Wellness Center, workforce development and youth engagement. Debt service is estimated at $12.6 million. The city’s FY2027 debt schedule refl ects all current debt service requirements, including the new high school, the McKinley School renovation and the rehab of McMackin Field. The city will continue to issue short-term bonds as the construction of the new High School continues. The 2027 budget includes $22.3 million for state assessments. Charges to the city from the state include $2.9 million for Retired Teachers’ Health Insurance, $4.6 million for the MBTA, $875,000 for special education and tuition assessments, School Choice, $13.5 million for charter schools, $60,000 for Mosquito Control. The budget also includes $53.2 million in fixed costs. Health insurance is estimated at $31 million, a.7 percent increase, $1.7 million for Property & Casualty Insurance, Retirement Assessment, $18.4 million. There is an increased COLA for all retirees in FY2027 from $14k to $15k. FICA — Medicare: $2.1 million. The budget calls for $34.2 million for the Water & Sewer Enterprise Fund, with $1.9 million going for salaries, $1.4 million for expenses, $7.2 million for longterm debt principle, $2.9 million for long-term debt interest, $7.3 million for MWRA water assessment, $13.4 million for MWRA sewer assessment. The Solid Waste Enterprise Fund was estimated at $4.7 million, with salaries at $340,000, $2.4 million for waste collection, $380,000 for recycling disposal and $1.7 million for solid waste disposal. Councillors did not have any objections or problems with Viscay’s numbers for 2027. However, Viscay’s repeated warnings about lean years and budget gaps raised concerns. Councillor-at-Large Michelle Kelley asked when the city would see a big jump in debt for the new high school. Viscay said debt payments for the school are $3.12 million for 2027, $6.1 million for 2028 and $15 million for 2029. One of the fi nal ideas presented in Viscay’s budget handout for councillors was the following: Challenge — How will we close the funding gap during the years or construction of the new RHS while we wait for the tax revenues from new growth to catch up? Viscay off ered several suggestions that have failed to gain any traction in the past. He said the Community Preservation Act (CPA) would allow the city to tack on a 3 percent surcharge to property taxes and would fund aff ordable housing, historic preservation and open space. But the CPA raises taxes, which residents were told would not occur as a result of the new school. Viscay also suggested a cannabis excise tax would increase revenue. A 50/50 split of the Community Improvement Trust Fund was also suggested, but Ward councillors objected to sharing those funds, which are controlled by councillors and used for neighborhood improvements. Viscay also mentioned the sale of city property. The council left the question of future budget gaps on the table. “The budget is balanced, it’s in your hands,” Viscay told the council. The hearing on the 2027 budget will continue with the Ways and Means Subcommittee, which will meet on Tuesday, June 9, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Wednesday, June 10, 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Monday, June 22, 5 to 6 p.m. The council will vote on the budget on Monday, June 22, at 6 p.m. ~ OP-ED ~ Sound Planning, Responsible Management, and a Strong Future for Revere T o the residents of Revere, Good planning + responsible management = a positive financial outlook and budget stability. I am pleased that on Monday, June 1, 2026, we presented our Fiscal Year 2027 budget. As Mayor, I promised to be a good steward of your tax dollars which is refl ected in our 2027 budget package. Our total operating budget is a culmination of good governance and fi scal prudence. Our budget is a refl ection of the City of Revere’s respect and understanding of the taxpayers’ values: We treat our responsibilities to manage the budget in the same way you manage your home and fi nances, and we do not live above our means. There is a 1.8% increase in structural spending, and I want to impress again; it is a modest increase of only 1.8%. With the average national rate of infl ation over 4%, we have made it a priority to do more while spending less of your money, forcing our hard-earned dollars to stretch further. Our success in combatting infl ation is a result of our team’s approach of digging deep to identify necessities, remove waste, and maximize funds using technology, strong work ethPatrick M. Keefe Jr. Mayor ic, and creating effi ciencies across the board. This budget is built around right-sizing general government that invests in our core programs to enhance our residents’ quality of life. The fixed cost increases on items such as utilities, healthcare, and contractual growth, are managed by embracing new funding sources, maintaining strong labor relations, and exceptional management from our Chiefs and Department Heads. We are doing this all while making record investments in our Public Safety teams, educational portfolio, public works, City services, municipal buildings, infrastructure, and open space. I have to give true credit to our team of Department Heads for diligently making appropriate adjustments and coming together on what appears to be the leanest increase in municipal in quite possibly in all of Greater Boston. I give large thanks to our CFO Richard Viscay who painstakingly works alongside me: We spend many late nights and weekends ensuring the city is in good fi nancial standing, OP-ED | SEE Page 13 

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