City Council FY26-27 Priorities

Public safety and feeling safe in neighborhoods and public areas was a top concern, with calls for fully staffing police and fire departments and improving overall safety. Many respondents emphasized the need to preserve open spaces, wetlands, and the Green Line, and to limit new development—especially in the southern and rural parts of the city. There was strong opposition to increasing density and using terms like "affordable housing" to justify new developments.

Several respondents stressed the importance of focusing on core city services—public safety, schools, and infrastructure—while limiting city involvement in non-essential services like child care and recreational rentals. Fiscal responsibility was a recurring theme, with requests to avoid budget increases and large new projects when basic services are underfunded.

Traffic, mobility, and transit improvements were also highlighted, including calls for better main roads and expanded light rail or transit options to reduce congestion and single-occupant vehicle use.

Other points included the need to recognize and support city employees to prevent burnout a desire for fewer, more focused city initiatives with better execution and interest in regional partnerships to improve quality of life.

A few respondents mentioned specific requests such as free parking for residents at the oceanfront and prioritizing filling existing industrial park space before developing new areas.

Concerns about high taxes, especially on property, vehicles, and dining out, were mentioned repeatedly, with frustration expressed over recent increases making daily life less affordable. Multiple respondents emphasized the need to prioritize city spending on residents and infrastructure rather than focusing on developers and tourists. There were calls to increase pay for first responders due to the increased dangers they face, and for greater transparency around healthcare costs. Education funding was also highlighted, with a suggestion to allocate more resources for student field trips to local historical sites and to involve local businesses in supporting these efforts.

Respondents most frequently emphasized the need for improved flood control and stormwater management, with several calling for funding and construction to address ongoing flooding issues. Affordable housing was also a common priority, with calls for safe, stable, and affordable options for median wage earners and neglected areas.

Economic development was mentioned, with a focus on attracting larger employers offering higher wages, and a preference for budget cuts over new taxes. Crime prevention and public safety improvements, including school security upgrades, were highlighted.

Respondents also advocated for more walkable neighborhoods and expanded resources for homeschooling through public facilities. Several mentioned the importance of protecting green spaces, revitalizing neglected areas, and reducing car dependency through better public transit and traffic safety.

Education priorities included mental health support, historical accuracy in programming, and anti-exclusion efforts. There were also calls for property tax reductions.

Overall, the most common themes were flood control, affordable housing, public safety, and protecting green spaces, with additional interest in economic development, education, and walkability.