Vigeant Proposes $173.9M 2022 Budget, Same As 2021

MARLBOROUGH, MA — Mayor Arthur Vigeant's proposed 2022 budget would fund the city at the same level as 2021, although he is asking to increase spending in the general fund by about $1.5 million.

Vigeant released his $173.9 million fiscal 2022 budget proposal this week. That figure covers spending on all city departments, Marlborough Public Schools (MPS) and the water and sewer departments. Vigeant is keeping the budget level with a $2.2 million cut in the sewer fund and an $827,000 MPS cut.

Subtracting the water and sewer departments, Vigeant is proposing the overall city general fund budget increase from $150.2 million in 2021 to $151.7 million in 2022. Overall funding for just city departments without counting MPS would rise from $58 million in 2021 to $60.4 million in 2022.

The general fund increases are largely due to personnel costs like salaries and health benefits. The police department budget, for example, would rise by about $172,000 in fiscal 2022, but more than $166,000 would go toward pay increases.

Vigeant is not proposing a tax increase in 2022 (the current rates are $13.80 for residential properties, $24.47 for commercial and industrial) but did warn in a budget message that rising property values could equal a tax bill increase for many residents.

The City Council will begin deliberations on the proposed budget ahead of final adoption before the end of June. Here's a look at the fiscal 2022 proposed spending compared to the current (2021) fiscal year.