LETTER: No tax override, city needs a strategic plan for finances and priorities

The following letter was also presented and addressed to members of the Malden City Council as part of Public Comment at the September 30 meeting.

I am writing to oppose the proposed tax override. Residents in our city, homeowners and renters, are already facing steep increases in the cost of living. Asking taxpayers for even more money without demonstrating fiscal responsibility is not only unfair, it is irresponsible governance.

The City has not clearly shown what steps have been taken to avoid the need for an override. Taxpayers deserve evidence that every option to cut costs and reprioritize spending has been exhausted. Without this, an override sends a troubling message that instead of addressing inefficiencies or tightening budgets, the City will simply turn to residents for more revenue whenever it encounters financial challenges.

What is needed is not another tax increase but a clear, strategic plan for the City’s finances and priorities. Residents deserve to see a roadmap that explains how current resources are being managed, how future needs will be addressed, and what specific measures will be taken to keep spending under control. A tax override without such a plan is premature and shortsighted.

Our community is full of hardworking people who sacrifice to pay their mortgages or rent, cover rising utility bills, and put food on the table. For many, even the smallest tax increase can mean a meal not eaten, a prescription not filled, or a bill left unpaid. These are not hypothetical hardships, they are the reality for many of our neighbors.

Before placing more weight on the backs of residents, City leadership must show that it is capable of managing existing funds responsibly and charting a long-term plan that balances needs with sustainability.

I urge you to reject the proposed tax override. Instead commit to fiscal discipline, transparency, and the development of a comprehensive strategic plan that puts residents first and ensures the City lives within its means.

Bill Spadafora Jr.

Malden