Page 13 - Eric Batista News Today : Breaking News, Live Updates & Top Stories | Vimarsana

An academic paper from the College of the Holy Cross and Kennesaw State University, written to show the flaws of using a pro forma model to economically justify the building of government-owned sports stadiums in the future, has used the $160-million Polar Park in Worcester as one of two examples of the model’s problems, saying the ballpark will saddle the city government with fiscal deficits between $40 and $60 million.

The City of Worcester’s $848-million budget for the coming fiscal year is delivering on promises to give more resources and funding to the Executive Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, with a 67% increase in the financial allotment given to the office.

The city is applying for Housing Choice grants to fund the creation of a Housing Production Plan.

When the city administration developed a proposal for Worcester’s fiscal 2024 budget, there was a $6 million deficit to fill, according to City Manager Eric Batista.

The mayor says if the City Council did not vote to approve the stipend, the city could have faced legal action. But the issue sparked heated debate among the council.