Beverly Council Hears FY2021 Budget, Eyes June 24 Final Vote

BEVERLY -- June 18, 2020, Beverly City Council holds remote FY2021 budget hearing as COVID-19 cuts projected revenue by $4.7 million. Mayor Michael Cahill and Finance Director Brian Hales presented a combined city-and-school budget growing just 1.16 percent, or roughly $1.568 million, while the city draws $1 million from stabilization reserves to absorb losses in state aid, meals and room taxes, and building permits. Hales noted the full Proposition 2½ levy increase generates $2.7 million annually and that a quarter-percent reduction would cost the city $250,000 to $270,000, translating to about $1.50 per month less for the average taxpayer. Cahill said the administration plans to repurpose between $150,000 and $200,000 within the passed budget toward a racial equity initiative, with a formal recommendation expected by early fall. The council voted unanimously to approve a $1 easement for National Grid to install charging infrastructure at the Beverly Middle School bus depot for the city's first electric school bus, leased from Highland Electric Transportation of Hamilton at $24,000 per year, identical to the cost of a diesel bus. Final budget votes are scheduled for June 22 and June 24.