LYNN — The FY27 budget was voted down by the City Council on Tuesday on an 8-3 vote, following a public hearing where many residents spoke in opposition to the proposed $577,017,037, mainly focusing their opposition on the city’s not allocating enough for free legal aid for immigrants.
Mayor Jared C. Nicholson addressed those concerns when speaking at the beginning of the public hearing, agreeing to direct $50,000 in available American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to go toward Northeast Legal Aid, for residents’ immigrant legal financial support.
“Unfortunately, there is no capacity for additional programming in the fiscal year 2027 budget,” Nicholson said, in response to $1.6 million in additional expenditures requested by a group of community organizations after the budget had been completed. “In moments when we have capacity, we have worked to seek extensive community input, as we did on the ARPA funds.”
Nicholson also referenced the fact that many communities in the state, including several close to Lynn, are dealing with dire financial situations, while he presented the councilors with a balanced budget that included no layoffs.
Councilor Brian M. Field, Councilor Obed A. Matul, and Councilor Dr. Peter D. Meaney voted in support of the proposed FY27 budget.
Council President Coco Alinsug, Councilor Natasha S. Megie-Maddrey, Councilor Jordan T. Avery, Councilor Fredrick W. Hogan, Councilor Brian P. LaPierre, Councilor Hong L. Net, Councilor Nicole D. McClain, and Councilor Cardeliz Paez voted in opposition.
The eight councilors voting in opposition stated a need for the reallocation of the FY27 proposed budget for the immigrant population among Lynn residents.
“I would like us to consider reworking the budget to allocate $100,000 to expand legal services for our everyday community,” McClain said. “This is not a criticism of the proposed budget, but rather a recognition of the significant needs that exist in our community.”
The three councilors voting in support of the proposed budget stated it was balanced and had been looked over intensely by the budget and financial department in a process that started in January.
“I was born in Guatemala, and I will fully support my immigrant community,” said Matul. “However, as a business owner myself, I also know finances, I know my numbers, and I think that’s the way we need to move forward.”
The public hearing lasted more than 2½ hours with a series of speakers advocating for a no vote on the budget. Multiple residents spoke of family members who have been deported by ICE.
The next scheduled city council meeting is June 23.
