Boston Opens FY27 Budget Review With $4.9 Billion Plan and Broad Grant Cuts

BOSTON — April 14, 2026 — Boston's City Council opens FY27 budget review of a $4.9 billion plan with the slowest growth in years. Chair Benjamin J. Weber convened the Committee on Ways and Means on April 14, with Chief Financial Officer Ashley Groffenberger and Budget Director Jim Williamson presenting a recommended operating budget that grows just 2.1 percent, or $99.4 million, with health insurance costs rising more than $97 million alone — driven in part by nearly $48 million spent on GLP-1 medications for city employees in calendar year 2025. City department budgets are cut an average of 1.3 percent, including roughly $12 million in eliminated discretionary grants; year-round youth jobs are cut by $5 million. Councillor Erin J. Murphy demanded a full list of impacted nonprofits after organizations began receiving termination notices Friday, and Councillor Miniard Culpepper — marking his 100th day on the council — pressed officials at length on how the $500,000 cut to the Office of Black Male Advancement was decided despite the office's own report recommending level funding.