Listen to the full meeting
The Fall River City Council held a special meeting primarily to finalize and pass the Fiscal Year 2027 municipal budget. The central point of contention was the school transportation budget. The School Committee had requested $17.1 million, while the mayor’s proposed budget allocated $16.65 million, leaving a $450,000 shortfall. After a lengthy discussion with Interim Superintendent Dr. Kathleen Smith and city CFO Emily Arpke, councilors expressed concern about passing what they considered an unbalanced budget, given that transportation is a mandated cost. Councilor Shawn Cadime proposed moving $450,000 from the city’s reserve fund to fully fund the school’s request. After a brief recess to amend the appropriation order, the council voted 8-1 to approve the revised budget, which totaled $483,583,582.
In other business, the council addressed tensions with the administration by voting 8-1 to adopt a memorandum of agreement with Mayor Paul Coogan regarding the use of outside legal counsel. The agreement was presented as a compromise to establish clear procedures for future councils and administrations. During public comment, School Committee member Collin Dias spoke in favor of the full transportation budget and accused the mayor of bullying the superintendent, a claim that was questioned by several councilors due to a lack of evidence. The council also formally rejected a temporary continuing appropriation order, which was no longer needed, and reconsidered and passed a salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services before adjourning.
Topics discussed
- 1:44 · Meeting Logistics
Council President Ponte announced that the City Council chambers were closed to the public until August 11th for maintenance, and the meeting was being held in the City Council hearing room. - 2:10 · Citizens’ Input on School Budget
School Committee Member Collin R. Dias, speaking as a citizen, urged the council to fully fund the school transportation budget at the level approved by the school committee and not the lower amount proposed by the mayor. - 3:08 · FY2027 Municipal Budget and School Transportation Funding
The council debated the FY2027 budget, focusing on a $450,000 discrepancy between the mayor’s proposed school transportation funding ($16.65M) and the school committee’s request ($17.1M). After extensive discussion with school and city finance officials, the council decided to fully fund the request. - 6:34 · Allegations of Bullying
During citizens’ input, Collin R. Dias accused Mayor Coogan of bullying the superintendent. Councilors Pereira and Camara questioned him on the claim, asking for proof, which he did not provide, stating he was informed by whistleblowers. - 10:32 · A motion to adopt the Memorandum of Agreement with the Mayor regarding outside legal counsel. — passed
A motion to adopt the Memorandum of Agreement with the Mayor regarding outside legal counsel. - 14:06 · Memorandum of Agreement on Outside Legal Counsel
The council discussed and approved an MOA with the mayor’s office to create a compromise framework for when and how the council can seek outside legal opinions. Councilor Cadime agreed to withdraw a related ordinance as part of the compromise. - 1:05:53 · Budget Amendment and Passage
To resolve the school transportation funding issue, the council agreed to transfer $450,000 from the reserve fund. After a recess to prepare a revised appropriation order, the council passed the amended FY2027 budget. - 1:22:10 · A motion to approve the amended FY2027 Municipal Budget General Fund Appropriation Order for $483,583,582. — passed
A motion to approve the amended FY2027 Municipal Budget General Fund Appropriation Order for $483,583,582. - 1:23:22 · ARPA Funds Expenditure Status
Councilor Peckham inquired about the status of ARPA fund expenditures ahead of federal deadlines. Interim City Administrator Ann O’Neil-Souza stated that departments are on track and a full report would be provided. - 1:27:06 · A motion to grant the July continuing appropriation order leave to withdraw. — passed
A motion to grant the July continuing appropriation order leave to withdraw. - 1:27:30 · A motion to reject the July continuing appropriation order. — passed
A motion to reject the July continuing appropriation order. - 1:27:41 · Policy on Use of Outside Legal Counsel
Council President Ponte submitted a communication to initiate the process for the council to develop and adopt its own internal policy regarding the use of outside legal counsel, following the approval of the MOA with the mayor. - 1:28:53 · A motion to accept and place on file the communication regarding a policy on outside legal counsel. — passed
A motion to accept and place on file the communication regarding a policy on outside legal counsel. - 1:29:00 · Salary Ordinance for Director of Health and Human Services
The council voted to reconsider a salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services, which was then passed through its final readings to be ordained. - 1:29:42 · A motion to reconsider the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services. — passed
A motion to reconsider the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services. - 1:29:52 · A motion to pass the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services through second reading and enrollment. — passed
A motion to pass the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services through second reading and enrollment. - 1:31:55 · A motion to pass the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services to be ordained. — passed
A motion to pass the salary amendment ordinance for the Director of Health and Human Services to be ordained. - 1:32:04 · A motion to adjourn the meeting. — passed
A motion to adjourn the meeting.