Lowell City Council approves FY2027 budget after heated debate over historic‑board administrator

The Lowell City Council voted to approve the city’s FY2027 appropriation order on June 2, passing the overall budget on a roll call with 10 votes in favor and one opposed.

The meeting’s longest debate centered on the Planning & Development Department (DPD) after the city removed the historic‑board administrator position. Councilor Mcdana told colleagues, “I can't support this particular department's budget without a historic board administrator, and I also won't be able to support the entire budget,” arguing the role carried decades of institutional knowledge important to downtown review and ongoing projects.

Assistant City Manager Rose, answering council questions, said staff would absorb historic‑board duties and that “permits are already being approved,” adding that the administration met with the historic board’s chair and vice chair and planned continued staffing and outside help as needed. “Work continues,” Rose said, urging that the change was an adjustment rather than an operational halt.

Councilor Robinson moved to cut $153,285 from the DPD bottom line, citing code enforcement priorities and vacancies the council could eliminate without immediate service impacts. Robinson described the cut as a way to signal priorities to the administration; the motion was seconded by Councilor Mcdana but later withdrawn by its mover after extended discussion and appeals from other members and department officials.

Councilors and department heads repeatedly discussed the narrow options available under statutory budget timelines and the mechanics of adding positions after adoption. CFO Baldwin and City Manager Golden told the council that some positions might be restored later if free cash or other one‑time revenues materialize, and that a statutory 45‑day window governs final council action after a budget is submitted.

Despite the controversy, the appropriation order was adopted. Roll call on the final budget adoption recorded 10 yes votes and one no (Councilor Mcdana). The council then moved on to multiple departmental line‑item votes that implemented the adopted bottom line.

What happens next: managers and the council said they will continue discussions about restoring critical positions where feasible and will provide further updates and implementation plans in subsequent meetings.