Fall River FY 2017 budget voted down

Just 9 days before the 2016 budget expires in Fall River the $256 million dollar 2017 budget, voted down by city councilors.
 
"The main part is objection was a contract the city is entering into to privatize trash. My concerns are A. the length of the contract, they want to sign a 10 year contract and there is no out clause for the city," says City Councilor Raymond Mitchell.
 
Mitchell feels the contract favors the business rather than the city, and if the city terminates the contract with EZ disposal services early, they can be hit with a large penalty. Other concerns, a $7,000 raise for Correia’s special assistant Faust Fiore, and an additional mayor’s assistant position at $30,000.

"We are cutting in other areas or maintaining level services in other parts of the budget, but yet, the mayors office is getting more personnel,"adds Mitchell.
 
While a majority of the councilors voted against the budget, others voted in favor, hoping it will promote change in the city.
 
"change is difficult, people have to understand that it is difficult. I am willing to give this mayor a chance, do things a little different and maybe we can change the face of the city of Fall River," says City Councilor Steve Long.

According to a statement from mayor Correia’s office, the vote is invalid because council members did not vote on each individual item in the budget. The council will take it up again next Tuesday.

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