After approving a horribly constrained $394 million budget, the council went on to dish out a bit over $12 million in “free cash.”

With “cut night” starting at 6 p.m., the end is approaching rapidly for the 2027 fiscal year budget process in Somerville.

The budget does not account for pending agreements with police unions and includes strong-arm tactics over just $600,000 for the schools.

Even a cursory skim of the budget book raises questions. Because of all the changes, it’s difficult to tell if investment are increased, steady or reduced.