NEW BEDFORD — Mayor Jon Mitchell submitted the fiscal year 2022 budget proposal of approximately $431 million to the City Council on Wednesday. The proposed budget includes adding back some positions that were eliminated last year amid the pandemic.
Last year’s proposed fiscal year 2021 budget was approximately $411 million, with the General Fund accounting for $365 million. The fiscal year 2022 proposal includes an increase in the General Fund to $383 million.
Mitchell told the councilors over Zoom that the budget reflects a “relentless effort” to control costs. He said fixed and mandated costs for charter schools, insurance programs and pension have been steadily increasing over the last several years.