Boston Mayor Michelle Wu signed the $4.8 billion city budget, opting to accept all City Council changes for the first time since the body was given the ability to amend the mayor’s spending plan, rather than exercise her veto power.

Wu joined councilors at City Hall Monday for a signing ceremony, saying that she was “very happy to approve and sign” an amended version of her proposed budget for fiscal year 2026, after the Council unanimously approved $9 million in changes to it last week.

“Through Council’s leadership and thoughtful deliberation, this amended budget continues the investments in housing, economic and quality of life issues, public health and safety, youth summer jobs and many other shared priorities,” Wu wrote in a letter notifying councilors of her decision to approve their amended budget.

“Importantly, it makes these critical investments in a fiscally responsible way, ensuring departmental budgets are equipped to deliver city services,” she wrote.

The mayor’s quick acceptance of the Council’s amendments stands in stark contrast to what occurred last year, when she chose to veto the majority of the body’s changes. The Council then chose to override nearly half the mayor’s vetoes in a chaotic nine-hour budget session filled with infighting, tears and expletives.

Unlike last and the prior years that led to mayoral vetoes, the Council chose not to make any public safety cuts to the police and fire departments this time.

The $9 million in amendments accepted by the mayor this week represent about .19% of the total budget and include enhanced investment in firefighter cancer screening. Councilors who championed that particular public safety-related reallocation of funds cited firefighters’ lower life expectancy upon retirement.

The Council was also in a better position to achieve a straight override of a mayoral veto this year, due to their unanimous approval of the amended budget — something it was not able to do last year when the mayor flipped three votes.

Council Vice President Brian Worrell, who shepherded this year’s budget process as chair of the Ways and Means Committee, spoke to this year’s dynamic at the day’s signing ceremony.

“True collaboration takes compromise and a collective will to do what’s best for the people of Boston,” Worrell said. “I’m very proud to work with all my colleagues who have delivered an amendment package that reflects the values of our residents. I’m also glad that the mayor has accepted this package, recognizing the collaborative work that went into delivering these investments.”

The mayor also opted not to raise the same concerns she did last year, with the Council’s move to make a series of cuts to the execution of courts fund, which is budgeted at $5 million annually and used to settle city lawsuits and court cases.

In 2024, Wu’s office flagged the Council’s depletion of part of that fund to make room for other investments as potentially illegal, but seemingly opted to accept similar reductions to the execution of courts budget this year. The Council can amend the budget through fund transfers, but can’t change the bottom line.

“Under a challenging and rapidly shifting federal landscape, this budget prioritizes resources for the most fundamental services delivered at the local level for Boston to be a home for everyone — focusing on basic city services, health and safety, education, and housing affordability,” Wu wrote in her letter to councilors.

“In the face of national economic uncertainty, the City of Boston maintains strong financial health from consistent and responsible budget management, reflected in our consistent AAA bond ratings for the 12th year in a row and annual balanced budgets,” the mayor wrote.

The FY26 budget includes a 4.4% spending increase over last year’s spending plan, which grew by a higher rate of 8%.

One of the mayor’s top financial chiefs said at the day’s signing ceremony that the approved budget was still subject to change, due to the federal government’s threats to cut funding to Boston and other sanctuary cities.

“Unlike many major cities, Boston’s budget is stable and resilient to short-term economic volatility,” Ashley Groffenberger, the city’s chief financial officer, said. “But we’re not immune to challenges and will continue to actively monitor, manage and adapt to the changing environment.”

The annual budget includes more than $300 million in federal funding, Wu has said, and the city is already challenging potential cuts in court.