Mayor: A Better Future is Possible
HOLYOKE MAYOR JOSHUA GARCÍA presented his proposed $180 million budget to the City Council on Tuesday, emphasizing that the balanced budget will usher in an era of putting into place the building blocks for a stronger city for students, businesses and residents.
The proposed budget sets in motion a three-part process in which councilors will focus solely on going line by line in three meetings to review, and present motions to cut funds where a majority may deem necessary.
Thumbnail from Holyoke Media’s coverage of the budget presentation for fiscal year 2026. Mayor Joshua García greeted School Committee and Council Council members.
He said that Holyoke’s better days are within reach.
“Every time our city councilors or school committee members gather on a weeknight, spending hours on the minutiae of local governance, they affirm the hope of a better future.
“Every time our teachers walk through the doors of the schools, ready for another day of educating their students, they affirm the hope of a future. Every time our police officers or firefighters run toward danger, and every time DPW workers collect the trash or clean a park, they affirm the hope of a better future.
“Every time Holyoke parents read to their kids at night; every time neighbors pitch in to help when a friend has experienced a tragedy; every time a writer puts his pen to the page, or a musician reaches for their instrument, or people gather at their place of worship, they affirm the hope of a better future.
“It’s important to say this. It’s important to remember this.” – Mayor Joshua García
The mayor knows that these are difficult times for many.
“… It feels like we’re living through a time when, regardless of your politics, many of our fellow citizens seem not to believe that a happy future is possible. People are hurting. They’re afraid. And in an atmosphere of fear, the ties that bind us together can come undone. People turn on each other, and they look for others to blame. They pine for a past that never really existed. Meanwhile, leaders exploit these fears, using them as a pretense to suspend our constitutional rights. The future is snatched away.
“The partnership we once enjoyed with the federal government is no longer secure. Important grant money – money that was going to be used for critical infrastructure – was rescinded. And there’s likely to be more upheaval in the months ahead, with community development block grant money on the chopping block. This means we could lose out on funds that support food banks, housing initiatives, programs that protect the health and safety of the public, after-school programs, domestic violence shelters, and more.”
Yet, he added: “We can plan ahead. We can imagine the world as it should be, and say, ‘Why not?’ ”
In March, the mayor announced on his social media page that $19 million in funding from the federal Environmental Justice Community Change grant for essential infrastructure improvements “has now been lost.” An additional $1 million from federal taxpayers was also rescinded.
The mayor also shouted out Interim Superintendent Anthony Soto and the city’s new Police Chief Brian Keenan.
“The chief has really hit the ground running. He understands that the effectiveness of the Holyoke Police Department depends on strong leadership and smart fiscal management,” he said. Of Soto, he said: “… When his city needed him, he rose to the occasion. Anthony, we all owe you a great debt. ”
Mr. Soto was appointed Receiver in 2021 by the commonwealth’s education commissioner. He was appointed interim superintendent two months ago as part of the plan to return control of the Holyoke Public Schools to the elected School Committee.
The mayor’s complete speech can be read here.
A snapshot of the budget is here. Click on the “SUMMARY” tab at the bottom of the Google Spreadsheet. You don’t need to have a Google account to view it.
The City Council will be reviewing the budget on the following dates:
May 19 at 6 pm
May 28 at 6 pm
June 9 at 6 pm
