Fiscal Year 2021
The Fiscal Year 2021 Adopted Budget is balanced and responsible, robust and forward-looking
The $3.61 billion FY21 Operating Budget and $3.00 billion FY21-FY25 Capital Plan come at a time of great local, national and international economic turbulence, brought on by the coronavirus pandemic. The City's primary focus is responding to the immediate needs of residents and businesses affected by the coronavirus. At the same time, fiscal planning and stewardship is vital to our ability to function effectively through this crisis and beyond it.
This fiscally responsible budget will ensure the City is prepared for economic uncertainties, while maintaining a well-resourced city government that is prepared to respond to the needs of Boston.
Videos
Budget and Revenue Overview
Watch the Director of the Office of Budget Management give an overview of this year's recommended budget and revenue.
Operating Budget
Watch the Director of the Office of Budget Management describe the recommended operating budget for FY21.
Capital Budget
Watch the Director of the Office of Budget Management outline key areas of investment in this year's recommended capital budget.
How the Budget Works
Understand how the City's budget works.
FY21 Operating Budget
- The FY21 Operating Budget covers day-to-day expenses for the City including people like teachers, police officers, firefighters and services like housing, recycling, and transportation.
- The $3.61 billion FY21 Operating Budget is balanced, sustainable, and accelerates progress across the City. It contains historic levels of funding for public education, new investments in creating accessible and affordable housing, continued support for a robust public health commission and targeted investments funded through cost savings in the most impactful areas of city government.
Operating Budget by Category
The majority of the operating budget (60%) is allocated to Education and Public Safety expenses.
FY21-25 Capital Plan
Capital Budget Expenditures by Category
This pie chart illustrates the investment allocation by category for all projects included in the FY21-25 Capital Plan. Percentages are based on capital funding sources only.
- The Capital Plan is how the City makes critical improvements to the City's infrastructure and facilities like schools, libraries, parks, fire and police stations, roads, bridges and civic spaces.
- The $3.00 billion FY21-25 Capital Plan will maintain and build the cherished public spaces of Boston, including, schools, open spaces, community centers, streets and bridges. It includes investments in every neighborhood, from new parks and libraries to core infrastructure that keeps Boston a thriving city. It also fulfills the Mayor’s commitment to dedicate over 10% of new City funding toward climate resilient projects. This plan will ensure the municipal, civic, and open space assets that residents cherish in their neighborhoods remain active and vibrant parts of the community.
To learn more about the budget, please visit the Operating Budget, Capital Plan, Featured Analyses Pages, and Open Data Portal.
Learn more about the budget
Capital Budget
The capital budget is used for long term investments like infrastructure and facilities, that are paid off over time. Road repairs, machinery, and maintenance of water treatment plants are all capital expenses.
Operating Budget
The operating budget covers the day-to-day expenses required to deliver services to residents. These costs return year after year and include items like staff wages, office supplies and utilities.
Featured Analyses
Learn about specific funding and initiatives supported by the FY21 budget.