FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 4/29/2025
For further information, contact:
Susan Scully Petroni
City of Framingham Public Information Officer
spetroni@framinghamma.gov
508-782-8629
Mayor Sisitsky Submits Fiscal Year 2026, Including a $10.5 Million School Budget Increase
FRAMINGHAM - Mayor Charlie Sisitsky has submitted his Fiscal Year budget to the City Council on today, April 29.
This balanced and carefully crafted financial plan reflects a commitment to meeting the community’s needs effectively while navigating the challenges posed by limited revenue growth.
The Fiscal Year 2026 budget reflects a $10.5 million increase to the Framingham Public School District, roughly 6% increase.
The budget also reflects a commitment to public safety by increasing staffing for both the Framingham Fire Department and Framingham Police Department. Two new positions were added to the Police department and two previously unfunded positions were funded. Two previously unfunded positions for the fire department were funded for FY26.
The FY2026 General Fund Budget is set at $383,163,048, which represents a 6.7% increase of $23.9 million over FY2025.
This increase was achieved despite the constraints of a limited revenue landscape, which required tough decisions about resource allocation.
At the beginning of the budget process, city and school departments were tasked with submitting proposals that reflected level services and level funding for operations, amounting to a budget request of $389 million—a 9.6% increase over the previous year.
However, as revenue projections became clearer, adjustments were made to ensure the budget remained balanced without exceeding the 2.5% Tax Levy cap.
Revenue Sources and Distribution
The FY2026 budget is supported by a diverse range of revenue sources, with the largest contribution coming from the 2.5% tax levy, projected to provide $230,370,391—60.11% of the total budget. Other significant revenue sources include:
- State Aid (Cherry Sheet): $107,949,677
- Local Receipts: $25,400,000
- Free Cash: $10,000,000
- Excluded Debt: $3,114,480
- Enterprise Indirect: $3,587,500
- New Growth: $2,200,000
- Other: $541,000
The revenue model aims to balance local tax burdens with state support, while also ensuring the continued vitality of public services, infrastructure, and community development.
Impact on Property Taxes
The 2.5% tax levy increase will result in a $195 increase to the average single-family home value of $653,116. This translates to a projected $7,956 average tax bill for FY2026, up from $7,761 in FY2025. This increase reflects the city’s efforts to maintain high-quality public services, despite the limited ability to raise revenue.
Additionally, the new growth revenue, projected at $2.2 million, will help offset the impact of the levy increase, with additional resources coming from properties that have gained value due to new development or improvements.
A Unified Approach to Fiscal Responsibility
The FY2026 budget was developed with input from key stakeholders, including City departments, the Mayor’s office, the Superintendent and School Committee, the School Executive Director of Finance and Operations, and the Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer. Their collaborative efforts ensured that the budget is both responsible and responsive to the needs of the community.
“This year’s budget represents a thoughtful and strategic approach to managing our City’s resources in a way that reflects both fiscal prudence and a commitment to our residents' well-being,” said Mayor Charlie Sisitsky. “While we face significant challenges, including limited revenue growth, we have worked hard to prioritize key investments in infrastructure, public services, and education. This budget sets us on a strong path toward continued growth and community prosperity.”
###