Beverly Mayor Raises City Budget

The Mayor of Beverly, Michael Cahill, proposed the 2017 budget of $118,673,403 during a special meeting of the city council on Monday, May 23.

The 2017 budget proposal represents a 3.9 percent increase, or $4,461,479, over the 2016 budget.

A few noteworthy increases to the budget include city and retiree healthcare costs of $1,587,666, increased pension obligations of $436,565, an anticipated increase in collective bargaining costs of $950,000, and an increase to the school budget of $1,683,985.

Mayor Cahill noted that the city’s stabilization reserve has increased from $1 million to $6.75 million over the past two and a half years.

Cahill said the 2017 budget is fiscally responsible and will continue to deliver high-quality city services and the necessary infrastructure improvements to the town.