Easthampton will be holding a special election on Tuesday, June 9th, to decide whether to pass a Proposition 2 1/2 override. The Mayor has prepared two versions of the budget for review, pending passage of the override. Both budget books are printed and available to review at the Library, as well as linked below. Also below are a number of resources that may help residents considering their vote, or generally interested in the current state of City finances.
- Information about the special election for the Override can be found here. The election is June 9th, last day to register to vote is May 30.
- The proposed City budgets, with and without an Override passing, can be found here. (Please be aware that City Council Finance meetings have recently noted an inaccuracy in the number of Full Time Equivalent positions listed (not in the budget lines, just in the counting of positions)–this and other noted issues will hopefully be resolved shortly).
- This infographic breaks down the FY27 funding impacts to the Library in both budget scenarios.
- The City will host two Budget Presentation and Q&A sessions for the public at Easthampton High School.
- An Easthampton resident made an interactive breakdown of the budgets to show the comparisons and losses by department.
- The Fire Department has shared this breakdown of the impact of the cuts. Other departments will be sharing theirs as well.
- The City has shared this calculator, which estimates the increase in property tax costs by address.
- City Councillor Kiam Jamrog-McQuaid has put together this infographic about Prop. 2 1/2.
- This article and this report that it summarizes are really helpful in understanding exactly why so many regional municipalities are hitting the fiscal wall.
- Easthampton Media has videos up for most Council and Committee meetings after the fact, and also Mayoral updates (The Mayor Monthly).
- The full City meeting schedule can be found here--folks wanting to attend remotely should use the link at the top of most agendas.