Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019

Last updated: 7/1/18

Featured Analysis

Boston is a growing and thriving city, whose residents need new and expanded services. Through data-driven initiatives, other planning efforts, the Walsh Administration has identified new areas for investment in key areas highlighted below.

How does the budget work?
Learn about financial management
Glossary of Terms
View PDFs of the budget book
Contact the Budget Office:

budget@boston.gov

Education


Education Overview

Education Overview

Funding for Education is growing by $68 million over FY18.
Scaling Successful District-Wide Programs

Scaling Successful District-Wide Programs

BPS is investing in initiatives to close opportunity and achievement gaps.
Schools as the Great Equalizer

Schools as the Great Equalizer

Learn about the targeted research-backed investments BPS will make in FY18.
BuildBPS

BuildBPS

The City will invest $1 billion to modernize Boston's public school infrastructure. See how.
Early Childhood Education

Early Childhood Education

Data shows BPS prekindergarten attendees outperform their peers. Learn how.
Health and Social Emotional Wellness

Health and Social Emotional Wellness

Mayor Walsh is making a comprehensive investment in nurses, psychologists, and social workers.

City Budget Priorities


Public Safety for a Growing City

Public Safety for a Growing City

Boston is investing in initiatives to to meet the public safety needs of a growing City.
Housing a Changing City

Housing a Changing City

The City leverages variety of resources to meet 2030 housing goals.
Transformational Investments in Streets and Transportation

Transformational Investments in Streets and Transportation

The FY19 budget invests in making sure city streets are clean and safe.
Supporting our Youth

Supporting our Youth

Investment in the City’s youth is an investment in the City’s future.
Improving and Expanding Addiction Services

Improving and Expanding Addiction Services

Boston is expanding prevention and recovery services for young people.
Equity, Diversity, and Mobility

Equity, Diversity, and Mobility

Boston is working to advance racial equity, diversity, and economic mobility.
Arts and Culture

Arts and Culture

Boston is investing in the arts, as recommended in Boston Creates.
Preparing for Climate Change

Preparing for Climate Change

Boston is reducing energy consumption and preparing for climate change.
Imagine Boston Open Space

Imagine Boston Open Space

The City plans to carry out Imagine Boston 2030 open space goals

Centralized and Fixed Costs


City Services

City Services

Learn about City Services funding levels and savings initiatives.
Energy Management

Energy Management

Boston shrinks its energy use and reduces its carbon footprint. See how.
External Funds

External Funds

Federal, State, and private funding supplement the City's operating budget.
Health Benefits

Health Benefits

Health care costs are contained through savings initiatives but continue to grow. Learn more.
Pensions, Debt Service, and Other Fixed Costs

Pensions, Debt Service, and Other Fixed Costs

Pensions, debt service, and other fixed costs consume 20% of the budget growth.
Personnel Changes

Personnel Changes

The City carefully monitors personnel changes and targets investments in priority areas. See more.

Financial and Performance Management


Debt Management

Debt Management

Effective debt management policies keeps the Capital Plan affordable. Learn why.
Financial Management

Financial Management

See how Boston maintains sound financial principles.
Performance Management

Performance Management

The City practies data-driven decision making at all levels. Learn about the results.
CityScore Improves Services

CityScore Improves Services

CityScore informs the Mayor, managers, and the public about performance.
Data Analytics at Work

Data Analytics at Work

Data Analytics identifies opportunities to improve services through data.

Revenue


Revenue Overview

Revenue Overview

Boston’s expanding economy is generating growing revenue to support investments in city neighborhoods.
Property Tax Revenue

Property Tax Revenue

Property tax, due to rising new growth and stagnant state aid, is a larger part of Boston’s revenue.
State Revenue and Assessments

State Revenue and Assessments

Revenue from the State has been declining as a share of recurring revenue.
Local Revenue

Local Revenue

Local revenues are an increasing share of Boston’s recurring revenue.
Non-Recurring Revenue

Non-Recurring Revenue

The City relies on two sources of non-recurring revenue for non-recurring expenditures.
The Economy

The Economy

Economic indicators show positive real GDP growth and an improving unemployment rate.