Council votes no confidence in Fall River city CFO after complaints over late budget materials

Councilor Pekkham moved and Council Vice President Dion seconded a motion of no confidence in the city's chief financial officer; the full council carried the motion 6–3 on June 30.

Councilors said the CFO had delivered budget pages too close to the meeting start, limiting councillors' ability to review line items. They also said critical backup for the school transportation total and other line items arrived late or lacked explanation. During debate, Councilor Pekkham said he had "very little confidence" in the CFO's ability to manage a $500 million municipal budget and moved a no‑confidence action; the motion passed by roll call (six in favor, three opposed).

The record reflects sustained frustration across multiple councillors about timing and completeness of documents: one councillor said she received the requested pages at about 3:44 p.m. for a 5:30 p.m. meeting, and others said key correspondence and spreadsheets had not been shared promptly. The city administration acknowledged the timing problems, citing staff turnover and a departing school CFO and said a meeting with the incoming school CFO was scheduled for the following day to review transportation details.

Councilors and administration representatives differed on whether the no‑confidence motion changes the CFO’s formal status; the motion is a political expression by the council and does not by itself remove an appointed officer. The council proceeded immediately to its agenda and later voted to adopt a continuing appropriation to keep government operations running while budget disputes are resolved.

The council also approved sending a letter to the mayor asking him to submit the 112th continuing appropriation order to the Department of Revenue.