After five years, the city of Springfield has finally broken ties with the Finance Control Board, taking back the reigns of the city's budget and finances. Tuesday was the last official meeting at city hall.

One of the last orders of business for the Financial Control Board was to approve a 528-million dollar budget

Mayor Sarno says that budget prevents further layoffs without cutting basic services, others are saying its robbing Peter to pay Paul.

There was no shortage of pomp and circumstance at city hall. The Finance Control Board is finally stepping away from the books and giving fiscal responsibility back to city of Springfield.

Governor Deval Patrick was on hand for the official transition, as were many other heads of state and city. Sarno says the budget is solid, but this last meeting also ushers in two new developments.

A reduced trash fees and a new meals tax.

Soon to be "former" head of the control board Steve Lisauskas broke down the rationale to cut trash pickup fees.

"Its an opportunity to provide financial relief to residents while also improving the environment by recycling not incinerating," said Lisasukas.

But that relief, less than three cents a day for most property owners will send the city dipping into the pockets of downtown diners.

Springfield is adding a meals tax.

"It's point seventy five percent. So it's not an enormous tax. But does provide across large city it brings together some meaningful revenue"

Mayor Sarno says he's trying to help Springfield citizens and save jobs at the same time.

" 75 cents on a 100 dollar bill, with this we keep workforce like police and firefighters on the street , if I had to cut another million dollars out of the budget I would have to cut man and woman power out of the city of Springfield," adds Mayor Sarno.

Owner of Cafe Lebanon, Nadim Cashouh says the meal tax might keep customers away, at least when it first kicks in.

"Just for the fact its the point seventy five tax above and beyond the 6.25 tax I don't think the time is right, I don't think we should be the first people out of the gate with the something like this," said Cashouh.

The meal tax is on track to kick in by the end of the summer.