Boston City Council Reviews Planning Department's First $32.7 Million City Budget

BOSTON — May 7, 2024 — Boston City Council scrutinizes the new Planning Department's first $32.7 million operating budget. The Committee on Ways and Means, chaired by Councilor Brian Worrell, heard from Chief of Planning Arthur Jemison, Deputy Chief Devin Quirk, and Interim Finance Director Tim Mathis, who said personnel services represent roughly three-quarters of the budget, covering the transition of BPDA staff to city payroll. The BPDA holds a $16.5 million capital reserve against a $400 million capital needs assessment, with roughly $150 million tied to coastal resilience projects. Councilors pressed Jemison on the Squares and Streets rezoning initiative, compliance monitoring of stalled community benefit agreements, and deliverables from the Planning Advisory Council, which Jemison confirmed meets monthly and will produce an annual report. The hearing marked the first time the council has held direct budget authority over planning, development review, and real estate functions long housed within the quasi-independent agency.