Fiscal Year 2019 Budget

Beginning July 1, 2018 and ending June 30, 2019

Last updated: 4/11/18

Government Services

The Government Services Program provides general legal consultation to all City departments, with staff dedicated to Boston Public Schools, Boston Police Department, Inspectional Services, Public Facilities and Neighborhood Development. The Program also provides legal assistance regarding the development and implementation of new public policies and programs. Attorneys in the Government Services Division serve the dual roles of city in-house counsel and litigators. Government Services attorneys advise the mayor, city council, and city departments on issues that touch every aspect of municipal law. The Division provides legal advice on municipal initiatives and policies and advises city departments on their day-to-day operations. Government Services attorneys draft and review contracts, local legislation, regulations, license and intergovernmental agreements, respond to public records requests, counsel employees on conflict of interest issues, advise on open meeting law, municipal finance, telecommunications and elections issues, and counsel city departments on real property transactions and public procurement issues. Division attorneys also litigate cases on behalf of the city in numerous areas including zoning and land use, contract, construction, tax and procurement disputes, and challenges to city administrative determinations and legislation. The Government Services Program is also responsible for the Tax Title program which oversees the litigation of foreclosure proceedings and the collection of delinquent real estate taxes on property located in Boston.


Henry C. Luthin, Manager, Organization 151300

Government Services - Appropriations


title FY16 Expenditure FY17 Expenditure FY18 Appropriation FY19 Adopted Inc/Dec 18 vs 19
Personnel Services 975,290 1,328,539 2,553,738 3,412,222 858,484
Contractual Services 326,702 115,044 202,300 236,897 34,597
Supplies & Materials 0 0 0 2,600 2,600
Current Chgs & Oblig 0 0 26,975 80,165 53,190
Equipment 0 0 0 0 0
Other 0 0 0 0 0
Total 1,301,992 1,443,583 2,783,013 3,731,884 948,871

Government Services
Performance Goals

Goal:

To maximize the recovery of funds to the City, including deliquent taxes

Measure FY16 Actual FY17 Actual FY18 Target FY19 Target
Tax lien actions initiated in Land Court-Actual 259 369 324 300
Tax lien collections-Actual 13,247,184 11,672,089 11,896,352 9,000,000


Goal:

To provide consultation services that include rendering legal opinions, drafting and approving legal instruments such as contracts, agreements, licensing and indemnity agreements, zoning issues, public record requests and subpoena responses

Measure FY16 Actual FY17 Actual FY18 Target FY19 Target
% contract reviews completed within 14 days-Actual 97% 91.6% 90% 90%
City contracts processed within 14 days-Actual 878 596 430 595
Contracts processed-Actual 909 650 476 660