Yoon, Council Hold Public Hearing on Boston Finances

March 31, 2009

BOSTON – City Councilor at Large Sam Yoon chaired a public hearing of the Post-Audit and Oversight Committee tonight in the Great Hall of the Codman Square Health Center to engage Boston residents in the debate over the city’s finances. The hearing examined cost-saving measures proposed in last month’s Boston Finance Commission report and suggestions from those in attendance.

“Our budget debate does not have to revolve around the choice between a wage freeze or layoffs,” said Yoon. “The Boston Finance Commission report outlines ways we can save millions of dollars by reforming other areas of city finances. As we head into the budget debate at City Hall, we have to make sure this report does not sit on a shelf gathering dust.”

The report’s findings include a drastic reduction in overtime spending, reform of sick and injured payrolls, modernization of the Fire Department, and the potential sale of underutilized properties.

Yoon added that possible cost savings for Boston should not be limited the recommendations in the report.

“Let me be clear,” said Yoon. “This report is not the be-all-end-all. But it’s an important starting point. And this hearing gives us the chance to continue this discussion on how we should spend our tax dollars.”

President of the Boston Municipal Research Bureau Sam Tyler said the report’s efficiencies should be considered when the City Council and Mayor are crafting the new budget.

“To help bridge the budget gap, the City must take steps to manage its operations more effectively to create improved service and budget savings,” said Tyler in a letter to the Post-Audit and Oversight Committee. “The Boston Finance Commission[‘s] report makes a series of recommendations that should be considered and discussed by the City Council as it reviews Mayor Menino’s recommended budget for fiscal 2010.”