City Manager Jay Ash’s city budget for the coming year comes in at a cool and slim $120 million.
There are no surprises in the city budget, which tends to mimic what came the year before.
Copying what came the year before proves that magic is still a part of creative city budgets.
There is less money coming from the state to the city and less money for the public schools. It is less all around at a time when the city’s basic fiduciary responsibilities increase in cost from year to year.
Chelsea’ budget provides for no layoffs. This is a small miracle.
It also provides for the continuation of infrastructure repairs and for the funding of programs vital to the needy and for the poorest in this city.
This year’s budget says a lot about leadership here and of the entrepreneurial nature a city government must have these days just to survive.