Fall River Council Passes $483.6 Million FY2027 Budget, Funds Schools at $17.1 Million

Select Board · Meeting of July 28, 2026

Fall River City Council voted 8-1 Monday to adopt a $483.6 million FY2027 budget that fully funds school transportation at $17.1 million, overriding Mayor Paul Coogan's lower submission. Councillor Kadeem led the push to move $450,000 from a reserve fund line — originally set aside for unsettled police, fire, and Teamsters contracts — into the school transportation account, bringing the education appropriation to the $17,100,000 figure the school committee had unanimously approved on April 16. Interim Superintendent Kathleen Smith and CFO Aldo Petrano told the council they could not guarantee the $450,000 in projected savings from a redistricting-driven reduction of three buses and two vans, with Petrano saying "it's hard to say that if we approve anything less than 17.1, we're essentially approving a budget that's not balanced." Director of Finance Emily Arbke warned that the reserve fund move leaves only roughly $128,000 to cover three unsettled labor contracts, making a supplemental appropriation nearly certain later in the year.

Councillor Peckham cast the lone no vote.

In the full story:

• Who Was There
• Organizations And Documents Referenced
• The complete report — 2,562 words

Source: the Select Board meeting of July 28, 2026, reported from the official video recording and transcript.