City Finance Director Diane told the joint meeting that current tax collections are running near budgeted levels and that the city currently projects a $2.5 million to $3.0 million surplus for the fiscal year — but cautioned that the Board of Education has requested an appropriation for an estimated $7,365,226 deficit.

“Right now we are projecting we will be about a $2,500,000 to $3,000,000 surplus,” Diane said. She warned that any surplus this year is likely to be used to help cover the Board of Education shortfall, noted the city’s fund balance was roughly 13% (Board of Finance policy: 12–15%), and said each 1% change in the fund balance represents about $2,410,000. Diane told the council the $7,365,226 figure is a gross estimate and that the city expects roughly $1.1 million in special‑education excess grants to reduce the net deficit.

Diane also reviewed a multi‑year personal‑property audit begun by the assessor’s office that has produced new tax billings. She said phase‑one generated approximately $985,000 in billings and that $718,000 has been collected to date, about $592,000 of which was taxes and roughly $126,000 interest; phase two is underway.

During public participation, multiple speakers urged the council and state legislators to address special‑education funding and to avoid further cuts to schools. Peter Bailey, a resident, called unfunded mandates the “key” cause of the shortfall and asked the city to press state leaders for help. Peter Kelly, a resident, said the mayor’s public messaging under‑stated bills many homeowners will see and presented a sample of tax changes across neighborhoods. Alyssa Gocke, a teacher with 22 years in local schools, described classroom crowding, rising caseloads for specialized services, and losses of support staff. She said the district had been a “little school that could” in past decades but is now underfunded.

Parents and advocates also urged the council not to withdraw planned funds for Edgewood pre‑K. Mike Arecenco, a parent whose child attended Edgewood, said early intervention at Edgewood had helped his son progress to kindergarten in regular education with behavioral support. Mike Reynolds, president of the Bristol Federation of Teachers, referenced a staff survey with more than 500 responses and asked officials to minimize further personnel reductions beyond positions already eliminated.

Mayor Jeff Caggiano and council members said they plan to continue working with the board of education on the budget and noted many of the issues raised stem from state funding structures for special education. The mayor reiterated that tomorrow’s budget hearing would discuss details of the proposed budget and invited constituents to attend.