Mitchell Skewers Council Over Budget Cuts

Mayor Jon Mitchell chastised the New Bedford City Council over cuts made to his proposed budget this week. The City Council slashed over $2.2 million, including $200,000 from the snow removal budget, and $1.1 million from the General Government Unclassified budget.

Mayor Mitchell says some of the councilors refused to learn more about his proposed budget purely for political reasons. "They think there's some tactical advantage by remaining ignorant of where the administration's coming from. There are others on the City Council who, frankly, don't understand municipal finance and don't understand the consequences of their voting to cut one department or another," said Mitchell.

Mitchell says those cuts will significantly reduce the effectiveness of some basic city services.

He adds his office received a call from the State Department of Revenue, in which the department also expressed concern over the Council's cuts.