The Fall River City Council held a special meeting on June 30, 2026, to consider the Mayor’s revised FY2027 municipal budget. The meeting, held on the last day of the fiscal year, was marked by significant conflict between the council and the administration, culminating in the complete rejection of the proposed budget. Mayor Paul Coogan urged the council to pass the nearly $500 million budget, stating his administration had compromised and that stalling over a $40,000 line item for a council attorney was “petty politics.” Councilors countered that their objections were broader, citing a lack of transparency and data, particularly concerning a nearly $1 million discrepancy in the school transportation budget, and the fact that a meeting to resolve the transportation issue was scheduled for the following day.
The discussion revealed deep-seated frustrations with the administration, specifically with Corporation Counsel Alan Ramsey and CFO Learpie. Councilors detailed a breakdown in negotiations for a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) for the council attorney, which they claimed was stalled by the Corporation Counsel’s refusal to sign as an “agreeable party.” This led to a broader expression of a lack of confidence in the administration’s financial management, resulting in a 6-3 vote of no confidence in CFO Learpie, who subsequently left the meeting. The council then proceeded to vote line-by-line, rejecting every single appropriation in the proposed budget, with most votes being 6-3 or 7-2. After reducing the total appropriation to zero, the council voted to adopt the amended order and formally requested the mayor submit a continuing appropriation (1/12th) budget to keep the city operating.
Topics discussed
- 1:37 · FY2027 Municipal Budget Deliberations
The council and administration debated the proposed FY2027 budget, focusing on points of contention like council attorney funding, school transportation, and the overall budget process. - 2:32 · School Transportation Budget
Councilors heavily questioned a nearly $1 million discrepancy between the school committee’s projected transportation cost and the number in the mayor’s budget, citing a lack of data and justification. - 4:07 · Citizens Input
A resident, Colin Das, criticized the administration’s lack of transparency on the school transportation budget. Mayor Paul Coogan then addressed the council, urging them to pass the budget. - 25:56 · Conduct of Corporation Counsel
Multiple councilors expressed a lack of confidence in Corporation Counsel Alan Ramsey, citing a refusal to compromise, disrespect, and a legal opinion they felt was an overreach of authority. - 26:01 · Council Attorney Funding and MOA
A major point of contention was a $40,000 line item for a council attorney, with debate focusing on a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) that the Corporation Counsel refused to sign as an ‘agreeable party’. - 39:35 · City’s Financial Outlook
Councilor Pekham questioned the CFO and Mayor about the city’s financial health for FY28, discussing the reliance on one-time funds, debt service, and potential for a structural deficit. - 46:16 · Trash Collection Contract
It was discussed that the city’s trash contract was not yet fully executed but that the current contract had been extended for 30 days, ensuring no interruption of service. - 1:23:41 · Vote of No Confidence in CFO
Citing a lack of confidence in her ability to manage the budget based on unanswered questions, the council took and passed a vote of no confidence in CFO Learpie. - 1:23:41 · A vote of no confidence in the CFO of the city of Fall River, Learpie. — passed
A vote of no confidence in the CFO of the city of Fall River, Learpie. - 1:28:02 · The council rejected the entire FY2027 municipal budget appropriation order. The rejection was performed by voting down each of the approximately 35 individual line items, with most votes being 6-3 or 7-2 against the appropriation. — denied
The council rejected the entire FY2027 municipal budget appropriation order. The rejection was performed by voting down each of the approximately 35 individual line items, with most votes being 6-3 or 7-2 against the appropriation. - 1:49:00 · A motion to reduce the total budget appropriation to zero dollars. — passed
A motion to reduce the total budget appropriation to zero dollars. - 1:49:45 · A motion to adopt the appropriation order as amended to zero dollars. — passed
A motion to adopt the appropriation order as amended to zero dollars. - 1:50:46 · Budget Rejection and Continuing Appropriation
Following extensive debate, the council rejected the entire budget line-by-line and voted to move forward with a 1/12th continuing appropriation budget for the new fiscal year. - 1:51:46 · A motion was passed to send a letter to the Mayor requesting the submission of a 1/12th continuing appropriation budget to ensure city operations continue. — passed
A motion was passed to send a letter to the Mayor requesting the submission of a 1/12th continuing appropriation budget to ensure city operations continue.