Pittsfield Council Approves $146.2 Million In Operating BudgetsBy Andy McKeever, iBerkshires Staff
01:41AM / Thursday, June 25, 2015 | |
 Veterans Service Agent James Clark's budget was tabled by the City Council on Monday. They asked the mayor to return with an additional $150,000 for veterans benefits. |
PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council approved the $146.2 million operational budget on Tuesday after the mayor filed seven revised figures.
The City Council held a series of hearings on the spending plan, which breaks down to $77.2 million for city operations (a 1.7 percent increase) and a $59.5 million budget for the school system (a 3.5 percent increase).
An additional $7.2 million is to be raised for other expenses such as state assessments, regional planning, abatements, and the other postemployee benefits trust fund are outside of those budgets but still need to be raised.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi's proposal is for total spending of $152,4663,325.95, after the City Council's changes led to a cut of $47,286 in overall operating budgets.
The City Council reviewed the budget over four nights, beginning on Tuesday, June 2 and cast the approval vote on Tuesday, June 24.
Bianchi said the biggest driver in the school budget is increases in contractual obligations, utilities, and debt service on a new school bus fleet. More information on that proposal can be found here.
"One of the objectives was to make sure our Police Department and Fire Department are fully funded and fully manned. There will be no layoffs," Bianchi said of the proposal, calling it "relatively conservative."
Half of the plan will be paid for via tax revenue — a total of $76.1 million. That amount being levied is estimated to be $2.6 million more than last year, or 3.61 percent. However, the tax rate itself isn't set until the fall once more revenue numbers are finalized.
State reimbursements account for $50 million. Eleven million will come from local receipts such as meals tax, excise, and hotel tax. Water and sewer fees account for $9.5 million; school building assistance is $3.1 million. And the mayor is proposing to use $2.2 million in certified free cash to offset the tax rate.
Coupled with that, the mayor is proposing a capital budget of $11.2 million for an array of projects including new firefighting equipment, runway improvements at the airport, snow fighting equipment, security improvements and boiler replacements at schools and rebuilding five city basketball courts.
Day 1
Mayor's Office
The mayor's budget is seeing an increase of $4,985, which is 2.51 percent more than last year. The mayor's total budget is $203,690.
The increase is mostly in the mayor's salary, which the City Council voted to raised in October to be 5 percent more than the combined average of the salaries of the police and fire chiefs. That means the mayor is seeing a $3,760 increase to his line. The director of administrative services salary is increasing by $1,060 and the executive assistant is seeing a $1,965 increase.
Meanwhile, the mayor is cutting $500 from marketing and $1,500 from travel expenses. The city's contribution to the Massachusetts Municipal Association is up by $200.
"There is very little change from last year," Mayor Daniel Bianchi said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Mayor |
$87,780 |
$91,540 |
|
Director of Admin Services |
$52,035 |
$53,095 |
|
Executive Assistant |
$36,390 |
$38,355 |
|
Markets and Advertising |
$2,500 |
$2,000 |
|
Supplies |
$3,500 |
$3,500 |
|
Travel |
$6,500 |
$5,000 |
|
MA Municipal Association |
$10,000 |
$10,200 |
City Council
The City Council is seeing a decrease of $1,000 in its budget, which is .95 percent less than last year. The total budget is $103,892.
"It is a level budget with the decrease in the clerk of the committees," said City Clerk Linda Tyer, who said the additional $1,000 was added last year to clerk the now defunct Ordinance Review Committee.
That committee ended its work and the clerk stipend is no longer needed.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Councilors |
$90,002 |
$90,002 |
|
Clerk of the City Council |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Clerk of Committees |
$9,640 |
$8,640 |
|
Printing |
$1,250 |
$1,250 |
City Clerk
The city clerk's budget is increasing by $45,777, which is 15.28 percent more than last year. The total budget is $345,308.
"This budget has increased quite a bit from the previous year and all of the increases are directly related to the fact that we have three elections this year," City Clerk Linda Tyer said.
Salaries for the election workers went up for two reasons — one because the city is holding more elections than last year and the other because the statewide minimum wage is rising. Salaries in total are increasing by about $30,000 to cover the additional time and staff for the elections.
This year, there is a city election so supplies increase by $13,000 for the ballots and other needs while the state provides the materials statewide elections.
"For the municipal elections, the city is responsible for paying for the ballots," Tyer said.
The presidential election is going to have four separate ballots so the election programming line is up by $5,800.
The proposal cuts $2,576 out of equipment maintenance, $250 out of education and training, $500 in legal ads, and $2,000 from records preservation. In total, the non-personnel spending is up by $15,674.
Clairmont voiced concerns with a level-funded line for city code updates. He said the city has already spent more than that this year because of a number of administrative orders and new ordinances passed by the council.
"I am concerned that there is not enough money here," Clairmont said.
Tyer agreed that "we're probably going to be short" because she has some 25 new ordinances pending this year. However, Bianchi said if it is a matter of "a few thousand dollars" there is enough to cover any overage with the contingency fund.
The City Council approved the budget as presented.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approved |
2016 Approval |
|
City Clerk |
$54,500 |
$65,625 |
|
Assistant City Clerk |
$37,985 |
$39,090 |
|
Head Clerk |
$34,060 |
$34,885 |
|
Assistant Clerk Registrar |
$33,450 |
$36,180 |
|
Election Officers |
$23,000 |
$34,314 |
|
Secretary Board |
$31,626 |
$32,550 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$25,710 |
$26,590 |
|
Registrars Board |
$2,400 |
$2,400 |
|
Licensing Board |
$2,950 |
$2,950 |
|
Election Custodians |
$2,400 |
$3,600 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$8,000 |
$5,424 |
|
Election Programming |
$3,200 |
$9,000 |
|
Election Rentals |
$800 |
$1,200 |
|
Education and Training |
$1,250 |
$1,000 |
|
Legal Ads |
$1,000 |
$500 |
|
City Code Updates |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Records Preservation |
$2,200 |
$2,000 |
|
Supplies |
$10,000 |
$23,000 |
|
Census |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
City Solicitor
The City Council cut the proposed budget of the city solicitor by $20,000 and the mayor later returned with a budget that cut an addition $20,000 from legal and court costs. The approved budget is $228,700, which is down by $32,710 or 12.51 percent from last year.
The total budget, after the council's reduction, is now at $228,700. The council's cut came after looking at the line for legal fees and court costs. Last year that was budgeted at $75,000 and was proposed to be funded at $80,000. However, so far the office has only spent $35,277 of that budget.
"We've never come close to spending 75,000," said Clairmont. "We've never spent the $75,000 we've budgeted in the last few years so I feel there is the ability to make a small cut."
City Solicitor Kathleen Degnan opposed the move, saying there could be some big issues facing the city. The funds help pay for additional help on large issues, the most recent being in a lawsuit with Cafua Management over the proposal to build a Dunkin' Donuts drive-thru at the intersection of First and Fenn streets, in which Cafua says the city illegally stopped it.
Degnan says that trial is over now but judgment hasn't been rendered. She doesn't know if that lawsuit would go against the city and require additional litigation or payments. There is no money allocated for legal settlements.
"There have been times we've spent 75 but we've gone over it," Degnan said.
However, that's only happened once in the last few years and that was over a large case with Spectrum Health Systems, a case that the city ultimately lost. Degnan said the city spent $103,000 in legal fees and court costs that year.
 The City Council cut City Solicitor Kathleen Degnan's budget by an additional $20,000. |
Not only is the Dunkin' Donuts decision still pending, Degnan said the Rest of the River lawsuit and litigation with General Electric for the cleanup of the Housatonic River is coming down the road.
The city is part of the Rest of the River working group with five other towns that have joined to hire a Boston-based law firm to negotiate with GE for money to offset impacts the cleanup itself will have on the city.
"The EPA has been dragging their heels for the longest time. I don't know and I don't think the EPA knows when they'll have a decision. We don't know if we'll need to take legal action to protect ourselves," said City Council Vice President Christopher Connell.
Ward 6 Councilor John Krol, however, said it will increase transparency if Degnan has to return to the City Council and ask for funds if the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency finally issues a final cleanup plan.
Bianchi and Degnan both cited the proposed reduction to the budget as reasons not to cut more.
"We also reduced this budget by $12,710, which is a 5 percent reduction. You won't find many departments with that," Bianchi said.
That reduction came mostly from eliminating almost all of the tax title litigation line. Degnan said there are already too many cases backed up in Land Court and this year she wants to focus on moving those along. Most of the tax title fees are due up front to get the case into court.
"We did have a tax auction recently and another is we have many cases in Land Court that have already been paid and the goal is to push them in Land Court. We haven't gotten judgment on them and that could take a while," Degnan said. "I think I need to clean up what is in my office now."
She added, "I'm going to the cases where the Land Court has already been paid so I am not incurring any debt."
Krol said he was concerned about the cut but that didn't factor into the final vote and the cut remained. Clairmont's motion to cut $20,000 based on the legal fees and court costs was only narrowly approved in a 6-4 vote. Those for it were Clairmont, Krol, Councilor at Large Churchill Cotton, Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo, Ward 5 Councilor Jonathan Lothop, and Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
City Solicitor |
$66,425 |
$77,472 |
|
Assistant City Solicitor |
$27,460 |
$35,218 |
|
Executive Legal Secretary |
$37,225 |
$39,210 |
|
Tax Title Litigation |
$40,000 |
$1,500 |
|
Supplies |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Law Library |
$11,500 |
$11,500 |
|
Legal Fees and Court Costs |
$75,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Legal Settlements |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$2,800 |
$2,800
|
Health Department
The Health Department is eyed for a 2.39 percent increase, which is $10,060. The total budget is $431,675, including a $20,254 increase in personnel costs but a $10,194 cut in operations.
The City Council questioned a $5,000 reduction in property demolitions. The line was cut from $30,000 to $25,000. The department is expected to spend all the amount budgeted for this year.
"I'd like the make the recommendation that we level fund that. I think it is a really important line item," said Ward 6 Councilor John Krol.
Director of Public Health Gina Armstrong said there are currently two properties eyed for demolition. But, it isn't known how much it will cost. She said the spending of this year's budget is "higher than usual."
"There is always a need for more but it is hard to predict because they get held up in the legal process," she said.
Bianchi added that there is money in the federal Community Development Block Grant for property demolitions as well. The $5,000 cut isn't going to stop the city from razing a building that needs to be razed, he said.
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli felt the allowance for uniforms was too high and attempted to cut it by $500. However, the uniforms are contracted with the employees as a one-time stipend so they can't be cut.
"The receive it annually," said Director of Finance Susan Carmel. "She has to pay that out. We'd end up with a grievance on our hands if we don't give that out."
Each of the five staff members in the department received $300 for uniforms. Clairmont said the city can't cut that budget but in the future it could be re-negotiated in the union contract.
Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi wondered why only $2,000 was being budgeted for contracted services when the city spent $10,000 last year. Armstrong said the city was without a public nurse for six months last year and had to contract that out. The salary saved for half a year is being transferred to even that out. Now, the city has hired a public nurse so the money stays in the salaries line.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approved |
2016 Approval |
|
BOH Director |
$55,945 |
$55,945 |
|
Senior Sanitarian |
$45,465 |
$45,584 |
|
Inspector of Weights and Measures |
$46,295 |
$0 |
|
Animal Inspector |
$4,500 |
$4,500 |
|
Sanitarians |
$72,772 |
$75,967 |
|
Senior Code Enforcement Inspector |
$44,345 |
$43,190 |
|
Nuisance Control Officer |
$25,020 |
$29,379 |
|
Head Clerk |
$29,690 |
$31,626 |
|
40U Hearings Officer |
$2,500 |
$0 |
|
Public Health Nurse |
$39,654 |
$41,001 |
|
Senior Clerk |
$22,020 |
$25,578 |
|
Board of Health Clerk |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
40U Clerk |
$2,000 |
$0 |
|
Water Testing |
$1,250 |
$1,200 |
|
Uniforms |
$2,100 |
$2,100 |
|
Contractual Services |
$3,000 |
$1,800 |
|
Telephone |
$3,450 |
$3,450 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$4,500 |
$4,500 |
|
Education and Training |
$4,000 |
$3,500 |
|
Nuisance Abatement |
$4,000 |
$6,000 |
|
Advertising |
$2,300 |
$3,500 |
|
Property Demolitions |
$75,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Supplies |
$10,603 |
$11,294
|
Veterans Services
The City Council approved this budget with a $50,000 boost to the mayor's proposal. At the hearing, the City Council asked for a $150,000 increase for program opperations but the mayor returned with only a $50,000 increase to bring that line to an even $1 million. It was approved at the $1 million mark.
The total budget is now $1,086,985, which is a $283,395 increase, which is 35.27 percent.
Veterans Service Agency James Clark said he's seen a 32.7 percent increase in veterans benefits since he was hired in November. The city is looking to spend around $1.1 million on benefits. Most of those benefits are reimbursed by the federal and state government but the reimbursement doesn't come until at least the next fiscal year. The city is still on the hook for 25 percent of those benefits.
"A big part of it is the outreach and letting people know we are there. But, part of it is the economy," Clark said of the increased benefits.
The benefits have been increasing every year. Bianchi said he is comfortable with budgeting $950,000 and Clark said his goal is to reduce the number of unemployed veterans, which lowers the benefits.
"I'm trying really hard to get these guys a job and be part of society," Clark said.
The state allows municipalities to overspend that budget so no veteran would be "shortchanged," the mayor said. But, he added that he has no problems with revising that to a higher number.
Even though Clark said the benefits could be reduced by more employment and there is the OK to overspend, "when I was preparing for the budget, I was looking at $1.1 million."
The City Council tabled it and is asking the mayor to bring that number up to $1.1 million from the $950,000 proposed.
The proposed increase from $710,000 to $950,000 and a $650 addition for equipment maintenance were the only increases to the budget. A total of $6,555 was proposed to be cut from the budget from the personnel expenses of Clark and the administrative assistant.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Veterans' Agent |
$50,000 |
$48,100 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$31,890 |
$27,235 |
|
Temporary Labor |
$0 |
$0 |
|
*NEW Equipment Rental |
$0 |
$650 |
|
Rental Expense |
$6,700 |
$6,700 |
|
Education and Training |
$700 |
$0 |
|
Flags |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Supplies |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Program Expense |
$710,000 |
$1,000,000 |
|
Award and Declarations |
$300 |
$300 |
RSVP
The Retired Seniors Volunteer Program budget was approved with a $5,623 increase.
The total budget is $76,938, which is 7.88 percent higher than last year. Most of the increase is $4,069 for three personnel positions — the director, volunteer coordinator, and administrative assistant/ bookkeeper. The program receives some $40,000 in federal grant funding, which pays 30 percent of the total salaries.
The budget also sees an increase of $2,500 for volunteer recognition, which wasn't funded at all last year.
"We're so fortunate to have this program in Pittsfield," said Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi. "To me, this is the least we can do and I'm glad to see this item in here."
The budget adds $300 for miscellaneous; $1,000 for staff travel and $400 for postage, none of which were funded last year. The budget adds $57 for staff training.
Reductions include $1,600 for supplies; $400 for advertising; and the equipment/copier lease by $1,053.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approved |
2016 Approval |
|
Director of RSVP |
$33,950 |
$34,793 |
|
Volunteer Coordinator |
$12,941 |
$15,381 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$16,124 |
$16,910 |
|
Misc. |
$0 |
$300 |
|
Postage |
$0 |
$400 |
|
Staff Training |
$400 |
$457 |
|
Advertising |
$400 |
$0 |
|
Telephone |
$0 |
$350 |
|
Supplies |
$3,500 |
$1,900 |
|
Staff Travel |
$0 |
$1,000 |
|
Volunteer Recognition |
$0 |
$2,500 |
|
Equipment and Copier Lease |
$4,000 |
$2,947 |
Police
The Police Department budget was approved with a $334,473 increase, which is 3.91 percent. The Police Department is one of the largest budgets at $8,884,566.
"It is level serviced in almost all lines except the reduction of one part-time position," said Police Chief Michael Wynn.
The chief said the budget was a "hybrid" between a 5 percent reduction while still compensating for contractual obligations. Operational expenses are down $116,000 while personnel is up by $450,473. The total spending on personnel is $8,526,066 and operational expenses are at $358,500.
The biggest question in the budget is the use of overtime and staffing levels. The largest of five overtime lines is $600,000 for scheduled overtime. However, so far this year, the department has spent $824,783 on that and is expected to be more
 Police Chief Michael Wynn said the department is understaffed and spends more than $1 million in overtime. |
"We're budgeting at 59 percent of what we are going to spend," Wynn said of the overtime numbers.
The chief said the department is understaffed and has trouble filling shifts. On top of that, there are more special events and downtown merchants and the mayor have called for walking patrols on North Street. Wynn said overtime expenses over the past six years have not been close to what was actually spent, including an expected $200,000 deficit this year.
The downtown patrols have already cost the city $70,000 in overtime. When asked, Wynn said the 174 patrols have resulted in no arrests and no tickets.
"This is not enforcement activity. It is presence and visibility," he said.
Simonelli said if that is the case, then the downtown merchants should be paying for it instead.
"I am sure it is a feel good for the merchants and the people to come downtown and shop downtown. But, when you are talking about a overtime budget well over $900,000 and $80,000 to $90,000 goes to downtown, I think the merchants should pay for the officers," he said.
"We've got to find ways to cut money without cutting services. I have no problems with our officers working overtime. But, if it is just a feel-good thing for officers to walk up and down North Street, I think somebody else should pay for it," he said.
Wynn has said multiple times that he feels staff is too low. The budget has enough funds for 93 officers but currently there are only 88 officers on staff. The chief said the department should have between 110 and 120 officers.
"We have 88 and if this budget is approved ... We have one in the academy, one going to the academy in August, and then four vacant positions," Wynn said, adding that often the money saved in the time it takes to hire officers ends up going to overtime.
For example, the budget calls for the elimination of a part-time animal control officer. The City Council all voiced support for that position but didn't ask the mayor to add more money to compensate. Instead, Wynn said he will pull it from those unspent funds as the department attempts to hire more officers.
"It is not my intention to eliminate the position but in going through the exercise of cutting the budget, that position was negotiating," Wynn said.
In the mayor's revised budget, which was approved by the council, the line items for patrol officers and animal control officer reflected a swap of $19,597 to keep the animal control officer.
The department hires on the civil service system, so hiring has become more difficult, Wynn said. It takes a long time to hire somebody and then put them through the academy.
With all of the overtime officers are working, the department found it difficult to launch a program increasing traffic enforcement. That budget has now been eliminated because it wasn't "self-sustaining" in last year's pilot because there weren't enough tickets being written.
"We are filling so many vacant shifts right now that we can't get officers to go in a car and write tickets on overtime," he said.
Even with the overtime falling short, Clairmont said there is enough room in the dispatchers line. The costs to pay them is budgeted at $523,680 but the city so far has spent half of that. By his calculations, there would be $43,000 extra on the personnel side even with the extra overtime.
Wynn, however, said that isn't the case. The department receives grants for dispatching services but because it isn't a regional one, it can't use it for infrastructure and equipment. The department can, however, use it for salaries. So, they use that money for salaries and then transfer the salary money to fund equipment.
Nonetheless, Clairmont said he saw an array of cuts to the operational expenses that shows the department doesn't have too much.
"I think it is very tight and lean. I don't know how you get any more out of this when you do the math on this," he said.
The City Council approved that budget, too.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Police Chief |
$88,860 |
$115,000 |
|
Deputy Chief of Operations |
$42,000 |
$0 |
|
Police Captains |
$241,284 |
$248,262 |
|
Police Lieutenants |
$318,599 |
$384,362 |
|
Police Sergeants |
$707,170 |
$724,849 |
|
Safety Officer |
$62,278 |
$65,703 |
|
Detectives |
$426,581 |
$451,356 |
|
Patrol Officers |
$3,199,533 |
$3,356,910 |
|
Mechanic |
$44,556 |
$48,100 |
|
Drug Enforcement |
$133,000 |
$140,315 |
|
Traffic Enforcement |
$62,000 |
$0 |
|
Dispatchers |
$498,743 |
$523,680 |
|
Animal Control Officer |
$52,900 |
$58,460 |
|
Special Response Team |
$15,000 |
$12,000 |
|
Custodian |
$35,263 |
$31,490 |
|
Sr. Clerk Typist/Conf. |
$107,838 |
$115,718 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$67,860 |
$68,926 |
|
Animal Control Comm Clerk |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Matrons |
$15,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Temporary Labor |
$15,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Auxiliary Police |
$8,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Special Investigation OT |
$55,533 |
$40,000 |
|
Administrative OT |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Special Events OT |
$150,000 |
$150,000 |
|
Scheduled Overtime |
$560,000 |
$600,000 |
|
Dispatchers OT |
$77,889 |
$81,783 |
|
Crime Analyst |
$44,560 |
$46,735 |
|
Information/Technology Mgr. |
$50,096 |
$51,291 |
|
Police Science |
$1,000,000 |
$1,125,126 |
|
In Service |
$72,450 |
$70,000 |
|
Insurance Deductibles |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Animal Control Testing Fees |
$200 |
$200 |
|
Uniforms |
$50,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Maintenance/Support |
$165,000 |
$165,000 |
|
Police Education |
$35,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Shipping/Postage |
$800 |
$800 |
|
Printing |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Traffic Enforcement EQ |
$8,000 |
$0 |
|
K9 Care and Supplies |
$5,500 |
$5,500 |
|
Office Supplies |
$16,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Drug Enforcement Expenses |
$36,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Ammunition |
$12,000 |
$12,000 |
|
Special Investigation Expenses |
$4,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Care of Prisoners |
$10,000 |
$5,000 |
|
Custodial Supplies |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Equipment |
$50,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Fleet Maintenance |
$50,000 |
$40,000 |
Berkshire Athenaeum
The Berkshire Athenaeum budget is eyed for an $80,293 increase, which is 8.74 percent. The total budget is $998,666.
That budget still falls short of the state's required minimum appropriation from the city. The library will again have to apply for a waiver in order to receive additional funds from the state.
"We've been applying for waivers for the last five years and we've gotten them," said Library Director Ronald Latham.
The city is $10,000 short of the minimum appropriation which reels in $45,000 in additional funds from the state. Latham, however, said the gap has been closing and he expects the state will again grant the waiver. Last year, the city was $70,000 short of the minimum.
"I think a lot of communities have started to turn the corner and the number of waivers are down. But, there are still a number of communities that will be applying for the waiver," Latham said.
Latham said one of the goals of the library is to increase weekend hours. But, this budget doesn't support additional hours so staff is just now looking at different ways to do that. He said they are looking at swapping hours from the week to open earlier on Saturdays and for some hours on Sunday. He is also hoping to restore later hours on Monday.
The increase in the budget comes largely from staffing. The personnel lines combine for a $82,793 bump. The operations reduced by $2,500. The reductions in operations are from supplies and theft deterrent system.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Senior Supervisors |
$171,517 |
$193,165 |
|
Supervisor Specialist |
$40,553 |
$45,105 |
|
Supervisor Specialist |
$104,648 |
$116,590 |
|
Library Assistant II |
$43,427 |
$48,305 |
|
Senior Technicians |
$89,223 |
$97,344 |
|
Senior Assistants |
$60,838 |
$67,098 |
|
Director of Athenaeum |
$74,893 |
$78,337 |
|
Library Custodians |
$57,879 |
$61,573 |
|
Library Assistant I |
$52,000 |
$60,431 |
|
Library Technicians |
$54,572 |
$60,113 |
|
Library Shelvers |
$54,451 |
$58,733 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Library Staff Development |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Supplies - General |
$13,000 |
$12,000 |
|
Supplies - Custodial |
$6,500 |
$6,000 |
|
Binding and Microfilm |
$2,200 |
$2,200 |
|
Newspapers and Periodicals |
$13,000 |
$13,000 |
|
Books and Audio Visual |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Travel |
$1,500 |
$1,000 |
|
Reimbursement |
($45,453) |
($45,453) |
|
Unclassified - Library |
$2,000 |
$2,000 |
|
Library Networking Fees |
$43,125 |
$43,125 |
|
Theft Deterrent System |
$1,500 |
$1,000 |
Day 2
.JPG) The City Council held their second hearing on Thursday, April 6. |
Building Inspectors
The building inspectors budget will rise by $20,489, or 5.82 percent. The total budget is 372,815. The budget increase is entirely for personnel with supplies being cut by $2,100.
Building Inspector Albert Leu, who filled in for Commissioner Gerald Garner, said he is already seeing an increase in overall revenues since the City Council opted to eliminate caps on the fees for larger projects.
"We are ahead of the previous year to date. In 2014, we issued 1,810 permits. This year 1,843. The number of permits are slightly up and we've been fortunate to have a few large projects," Leu said.
Director of Finance Susan Carmel said so far the overall revenue is at $380,000, which with the caps being removed accounts for a $20,000 increase in revenues. Leu said the department should eclipse $400,000 in revenue by the end of the year.
The inspectors are also launching a new online permitting process. Leu says that will give applicants "more control" over their submissions and staff will be able to spend more time evaluating proposals rather than finding errors in the application.
"We're all looking forward to it," he said.
Councilor at Large Barry Clairmont, who has been a vocal opponent of the mayor's move of the inspectors to 100 North St., said the move hasn't increased turnaround time though. He said he was under the impression the move would hasten that process.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi says the move has helped with the smaller permits, which sometimes are done within the same day, but there is still a wait on the more complicated ones. The online application process will help on that front, he said.
"We are getting a lot of feedback from contractors and citizens that this process is working because we made the move and because we brought the inspectors together," Bianchi said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Senior Wire Inspector |
$47,682 |
$49,075 |
|
Building Commissioner |
$50,000 |
$64,025 |
|
Head Clerk |
$30,097 |
$25,935 |
|
Senior Clerk |
$25,834 |
$25,935 |
|
Building Inspectors |
$132,915 |
$136,750 |
|
Plumbing and Gas Inspector |
$43,198 |
$45,555 |
|
Temporary Labor |
$7,500 |
$7,500 |
|
Insurance Deductible |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Uniforms |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Telephone |
$3,500 |
$3,500 |
|
Supplies |
$9,600 |
$7,500 |
Personnel
The personnel budget is increasing by $10,529, which is 3.95 percent. The total budget is $277,360.
All of the increase is in pay for the three staff members, accounting for a $12,529 increase. The expense budget is cut by $2,000 — a $4,800 increase for the online application program is being offset by cuts of $5,000 from the city physician, $300 from supplies, and $1,500 from training.
The City Council was worried about postage in that the budget calls for $85,850 and so far this year $83,835 was already expended.
"It looks like we are $15,000 short on the postage line," said Councilor Barry Clairmont.
Director of Finance Susan Carmel said the city doesn't buy postage every month, so "it would never be over $15,000." The city buys the stamps in bulk and they last for longer than a month.
"The vast majority of the mailings are the real estate bills and we are required by law to mail them," Carmel told Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo, who asked if there were ways to reduce to total number of mailings. "We've always had these conversations every year."
Personnel Director John DeAngelo said the department is using Berkshire Medical Center to perform all of the required placement physicals and drug testing for 35 to 40 seasonal workers. That is "pay as you go" and after a full year the department felt comfortable with the $5,000 reduction.
"It was difficult to gauge last year's budget when we were using a different contractor," he said.
DeAngelo said the city is paying $400 a month for the online application system. The city no longer accepts the paper applications and the new system is "much more effective and efficient."
"I'm very happy we've gone in this direction," said Ward 6 Councilor John Krol. "I think it is very much worth the investment."
Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi didn't make a motion to decrease the budget but he did say he would like to see elimination of some positions in the future.
"It seems like some of these positions are duplicate positions," he said, specifically citing positions in the school department that perform similar duties.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Director of Personnel |
$55,120 |
$64,025 |
|
Personnel Technician |
$33,452 |
$35,265 |
|
Personnel Specialist |
$33,609 |
$35,420 |
|
Training |
$4,500 |
$3,000 |
|
Educational Opportunity |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
|
City Physician |
$45,500 |
$40,500 |
|
*New* Online Application Program |
$0 |
$4,800 |
|
Advertising |
$$2,500 |
$2,500 |
|
Postage |
$85,850 |
$85,850 |
|
Supplies |
$3,300 |
$3,000 |
Airport
The airport budget is increasing by $7,113, which is 3.7 percent. The total budget is $199,344. Raises for the airport manager and the airport inspectors are increasing the budget by $4,334. The expenses are going up $2,779 with increases to janitorial services and utilities but decreases in maintenance and snow removal.
According to Director of Finance Susan Carmel, landing fees have already surpassed the expected revenue figure of $50,000. The airport also brings in $33,000 for rental leases, $6,000 for fuel, and $3,000 for other miscellaneous fees.
Those figures show the airport takes in about $100,000 less than expended, which prompted Vice President Christopher Connell to question whether or not the city should be running it at all.
"I really feel we need to look at this scenario at the airport rather quickly this coming year. We just can't afford to have $100,000 more expense than revenue," Connell said.
He added, "I don't want to lose having an airport but there are other options. I just think it should be taken out of our hands. I really feel this is the year."
Connell promised to look at reaching a public private partnership for a for-profit entity to take over management in the coming year.
"I too really have some deep concerns about the airport," Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi said. "It is not working the way it is being run right now. We are losing $100,000 each year."
Ward 6 Councilor John Krol said the expense of $100,000 is providing a service just as another other city service. A $100,000 in a $150 million budget isn't a whole lot to provide an airport as a service, he said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Airport Manager |
$56,445 |
$58,204 |
|
Airport Inspector |
$42,795 |
$45,370 |
|
Commission Clerk |
$1,560 |
$1,560 |
|
Janitorial Services |
$10,920 |
$11,100 |
|
Utilities |
$47,761 |
$55,000 |
|
Telephone |
$1,530 |
$1,560 |
|
Maintenance |
$17,340 |
$14,500 |
|
Snow Removal |
$9,800 |
$8,000 |
|
Supplies |
$2,550 |
$2,550 |
|
Equipment |
$1,530 |
$1,500 |
Council on Aging
The Council on Aging budget is increasing by $22,675 or 8.42 percent. The total budget is $291,990. Expenses — such as supplies and temporary labor — is staying exactly the same at $52,585. The rest of the increase is for the 10 employees.
The only question the City Council had was that the department had asked for nothing for temporary labor but the mayor funded it at $4,000, which is the same as last year.
Director Vince Marinaro said he was asked to present a budget with cuts and if he had to make one, that's where it would come from. That is for substitute drivers and vacation for cafeteria staff, so it remains an important part of the budget, he said.
"When we were looking at the budget, if there was an opportunity to cut, we would go there," he said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approved |
2016 Approval |
|
Director |
$40,290 |
$52,910 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$29,950 |
$30,680 |
|
SDC Assistant |
$21,765 |
$22,935 |
|
Soc Serv Tech/Custodian |
$30,715 |
$31,440 |
|
Soc Serv Tech/Custodian (PT) |
$23,800 |
$25,280 |
|
Program Assistant |
$30,480 |
$32,125 |
|
Activities Leaders (PT) |
$18,540 |
$21,545 |
|
Kitchen Coordinator |
$21,190 |
$22,490 |
|
Temp. Labor |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$6,435 |
$6,435 |
|
Building Maintenance |
$13,500 |
$13,500 |
|
Printing |
$1,300 |
$1,300 |
|
Supplies |
$3,000 |
$3,000 |
|
Program Expense |
$24,350 |
$24,350 |
DPU Administration
The Department of Public Works' administration budget is increasing by $60,763, or 1.95 percent. The total budget is $3,179,294.
The largest increase comes from the expense side, with $53,108 worth of increase from lines for solid waste. Councilor at Large Barry Clairmont said with only $41,257 expended so far of the $106,000 for landfill monitoring and less than half of the solid waste disposal and solid waste recycle lines being spent, he was going to propose a cut.
However, Commissioner Bruce Collingwood said the total amount has historically been used. Director of Finance Susan Carmel said the landfill monitoring line has expended more than the $106,000 each of the last two years and sometimes money rolls into the following year if the bills come in after the yearly books are closed.
"Whatever the budget is intended to do, that's what I am going to try to do. If we have to roll it over, it has to roll," Collingwood said.
After receiving the historical numbers, Clairmont opted not to cut the budget, saying it is probably a the right amount.
Ward 5 Councilor Jonathan Lothrop questioned if the department should send bills for parking permits out less frequently. Each billing cycle requires a day and a half worth of work and require postage and paper. The
"I really think monthly billing is excessive," Lothrop said.
Collingwood said he'd like to take that a step further and eliminate billing altogether. The city is changing the entire parking system and installing new meters. He said the programming for those meters could allow the customer to pay with a credit card and all of the notifications are done via email. While there will still need to be some monitoring, Collingwood said it would be far less labor intensive.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Commissioner of Public Utilities |
$83,920 |
$89,530 |
|
Office Manager |
$37,785 |
$38,890 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$32,430 |
$33,370 |
|
Solid Waste Collection |
$1,172,916 |
$1,208,104 |
|
Solid Waste Disposal |
$969,000 |
$972,000 |
|
Solid Waste Recycle |
$701,480 |
$716,400 |
|
Household Hazardous Waste Collection |
$8,000 |
$8,000 |
|
Landfill Monitoring |
$106,000 |
$106,000 |
|
Office Supplies |
$7,000 |
$7,000 |
Public Services
The Public Services budget was approved with a decrease of $20, 804, which is .57 percent lower than last year. The total budget is now $3,490,909.
The mayor's first proposal was cut by an additional $113,500 but on the City Council's urging money was added to street repairs, seasonal labor, and tree operations - at $73,500 for street repairs to level fund it, at $30,000 for seasonal labor and $10,000 for tree operations.
"There is not a lot of flexible money to do smaller projects, by projects I mean just a step up from basic repairs," said Commissioner Bruce Collingwood of the money for street repairs. "For this line item being cut to where it is, it is going to be an operationally a challenge."
That line isn't for full road reconstruction — the city bonds for that — but for maintenance issues such as potholes and sidewalk repairs. The total budget was proposed at $215,000, which was down from $288,500 last year.
"I have a hard time supporting this drastic change. I'm apprehensive where in a few months from now, when we see something [that needs repair] we're going to be told no, no, no. And it is just the bare minimum," Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo said. "If that has an impact on the tax rate, we have to own that."
Ward 5 Councilor Jonathan Lothrop said for every dollar spent on infrastructure, two or three private dollars are spent in the city. When the city keeps up its infrastructure, it leads the way by showing residents that they care, he said.
"We are not even approaching the break-even number. This is not level service. It is taking longer to get potholes filled. It is getting longer to get things addressed. We're putting Band-Aids on the problems," Lothrop said.
The city council also questioned the winter maintenance and snow removal line, which was proposed at $550,000 despite spending $1,287,000 this last winter.
The snow and ice account is one of the few accounts the state lets cities overrun but some city councilors wanted to increase it so the overage doesn't have to come from free cash next year.
 Commissioner Bruce Collingwood agreed that it would be difficult to do much with the cut to the street repair budget. |
"This last winter was the worst winter we've had in a long time for snow removal. Last year, we spent more on sand and salt than we did in this year. I don't want to get into a situation with another winter like the last one and we don't maintain the roads because the money isn't there," said Councilor at Large Barry Clairmont. "I believe in truth in budgeting and I would like to see another $400,000 in the snow and ice budget and I'd like to see seasonal labor back."
Director of Finance Susan Carmel warned that once the budget line is raised, the council cannot decrease it in the future.
"If we have a year we are fiscally strapped, you can never lower that line again," she said.
Mayor Daniel Bianchi said the law is what concerns him and that he expects more free cash than in previous years because of the tax title auction. He said he would feel better if he came back to look at more funds once free cash is certified.
Seasonal labor, as Clairmont alluded to, was also cut completely for a savings of $48,000. The seasonal employees are responsible for things like mowing the grass at parks. Collingwood said most of the summer will be paid through this year's budget so that cut won't affect operations until next summer.
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli, however, agreed with increasing the road repair line but didn't want to support an overall increase. He said he'd rather have any overages come from reserves.
"I can't in good conscience vote to raise the budget," he said.
Simonelli was joined by Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi and President Melissa Mazzeo in voting against tabling it and asking the mayor for more money. The rest of the council voted in favor of asking for more.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Comm of Public Service |
$50,399 |
$1 |
|
Inspector of Weights and Measures |
$38,787 |
$40,070 |
|
Superintendent |
$57,331 |
$59,215 |
|
Street Compliance Inspector |
$51,858 |
$53,360 |
|
Chief Street Foreman |
$0 |
$50,786 |
|
Highway Maintenance Craftsman |
$221,104 |
$231,061 |
|
Fleet Manager |
$50,593 |
$49,560 |
|
Working Foreman |
$49,115 |
$50,786 |
|
Motor Equipment Repairman |
$200,866 |
$211,961 |
|
Signal Maintainer |
$50,339 |
$44,668 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$30,147 |
$30,379 |
|
Seasonal Labor |
$48,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Scheduled Overtime |
$75,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Snow/Ice Overtime |
$100,000 |
$100,00 |
|
Equipment Operators |
$206,944 |
$216,635 |
|
Utilities |
$74,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Street Lighting |
$450,000 |
$450,000 |
|
Maintenance |
$115,000 |
$115,000 |
|
Garage Maintenance |
$220,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Repairs - Streets |
$288,500 |
$88,500 |
|
Streetscape Maintenance |
$16,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Contract Street Sweeping |
$25,000 |
$0 |
|
Sand |
$550,000 |
$550,000 |
|
Garage Supplies |
$21,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Gasoline and Diesel Oil |
$510,230 |
$500,000 |
|
Tree Operations |
$90,000 |
$60,000 |
|
Highway and Traffic Supplies |
$35,000 |
$35,000 |
Engineering
The engineering budget is decreasing by $8,814, or 5.52 percent. The overall budget is $150,950.
The decrease is mostly from supplies and professional services - $5,100 and $4,100 respectively. The supplies line is now at $500.
"That's not too many pencils," said Vice President Christopher Connell.
Commissioner Bruce Collingwood said the line was cut in discussions with the mayor. Ward 5 Councilor Jonathan Lothrop asked why the city contracts out engineering work for projects instead of using in-house staff.
Collingwood responded that he attempted to do that with the Benedict Road project a number of years ago but that experiment failed. He said the engineers are often getting called to more immediate needs and can't put in the time for one large project.
"Our staff is constantly getting called off. There is a lot of responding to immediate needs. The Benedict Road experiment failed and I ended up hiring a consultant to finish the project," he said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
City Engineer |
$68,775 |
$72,190 |
|
Jr. Civil Engineer |
$39,854 |
$39,440 |
|
Sr. Clerk Typist |
$27,135 |
$27,920 |
|
Professional Services |
$15,000 |
$10,900 |
|
Supplies |
$9,000 |
$500 |
Community Development
The Community Development budget passed with a $25,767 increase, which is 4.3 percent, but not before a lengthy discussion regard the city's contribution to Downtown Pittsfield Inc. The budget ultimately passed at $625,665.
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli motioned to cut the funding of $43,000 for the non-profit business and cultural group. The councilor said he wasn't "anti-Downtown Pittsfield Inc." but made the motion because he feels other areas of the budget need more attention. He said when the council set the tax rate last year it was his "least favorite" meeting and so far through this process there had been limited cuts.
"It has to start somewhere," he said.
He cited the Police Department budget, which was approved with a projected shortfall of $200,000 for overtime. Part of that overtime stems from downtown foot patrols that Downtown Pittsfield Inc. asked for but isn't contributing to the costs, Simonelli said.
"They are there because the downtown merchants requested their presence ... I have a problem with the police presence downtown for $75,000 when they don't write tickets, they are not issuing citations, jaywalking is a non-issue. It is a feel-good thing," Simonelli said.
Vice President of Downtown Pittsfield Inc. Jesse Cook-Dubin said that while the group did ask for the increased patrols, how the officers are used is up to the Police Department. He said if the chief wants to utilize the officers elsewhere, then the organization has no problem with that.
Cook-Dubin said the city funds are a "significant amount" of the organization's budget for marketing, special events, a downtown guide it releases each year, and the launching of the ambassador program to help visitors orient themselves.
Director of Community Development Douglas Clark said Downtown Pittsfield Inc. has been a good "partner" with everything the city has done downtown — from the streetscape project, to the parking management study and now implementation, to easing disruptions to merchants during construction.
"I feel like Downtown Inc. has really connected with the city and is doing a lot to get things on track," said Councilor at Large Kathleen Amuso. "We're finally moving forward, doing some good things and downtown is changing."
Ward 6 Councilor John Krol twice made a motion to cut that funding in years past. But, now, he feels the organization has changed for the better. He supported the allocation. Everybody except for Simonelli voted against cutting that funding.
Amuso said cutting $43,000 here or $10,000 there isn't going to make the budget impact Simonelli wants. The council shouldn't be looking to "nickel and dime" the budget but rather work with the school in figuring out how the city can do things completely differently.
"We need bigger savings than $10,000, $3,000, $43,000," Amuso said.
Vice President Christopher Connell also asked about the human services line, which was only $80,000 of the $140,000 was spent. Clark said the city reserved some of that funding for homelessness in the winter because there were issues the previous years. Other organizations stepped up to fill that need so the money wasn't spent but there are still needs, so most of the money will be spent by the end of the year.
The department hadn't spent any money on planning studies, despite having a $10,000 allocation. Next year that is proposed to increase to $15,000. Clark said the "roll out" of the Tyler Street Transformative District Initiative was slow and the planning money was eyed for that. Again, as the year comes to a close, Clark said he'll use that money to accomplish some of the things that need to be done like zoning and site planning.
The department is also adding playground leaders for the Common, which led to an increase there. There is also the first allocation from the city to the Tyler Street Business Group from this budget.
Lake management was cut by a third but that is because a capital request for a more expensive and effective treatment was approved for Onota Lake.
Parks and Open Space Manager James McGrath said the city spends $10,000 annually on herbicides at Onota but this year the new treatment will be performed instead.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Director |
$36,978 |
$40,852 |
|
Parks Open Space Planner |
$57,605 |
$64,250 |
|
City Planner |
$54,546 |
$61,150 |
|
Conservation Agent |
$47,685 |
$49,080 |
|
Planning Administrator |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Executive Secretary |
$39,500 |
$40,456 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$7,301 |
$6,997 |
|
Playground Leaders |
$14,756 |
$18,879 |
|
ZBA Clerk |
$801 |
$801 |
|
Season Labor |
$17,195 |
$17,195 |
|
Recreation Coordinator |
$40,304 |
$40,456 |
|
Permitting Coordinator |
$29,210 |
$0 |
|
Community Development Specialist |
$13,027 |
$47,579 |
|
Human Services |
$130,000 |
$140,000 |
|
Lake Management |
$30,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Conservation Management |
$1,500 |
$0 |
|
Supplies |
$5,500 |
$8,000 |
|
Recreation Programs |
$7,000 |
$7,000 |
|
Downtown Inc. |
$43,000 |
$43,000 |
|
Tyler Street Business Group |
$0 |
$1,000 |
|
Planning Studies |
$10,000 |
$15,000 |
Enterprise Funds Water
The water enterprise fund proposed budget was cut by $50,786 by the City Council. It is now approved with an increase of $297,802 from last year. The total budget is $4,394,963.
The cut reflects the reduction of one position, which Commissioner Bruce Collingwood said he doesn't want to fill unless he has to anyway. The city has been trying to hire a "director of Public Services" but with no luck. The administration feels the department would be better served with that position rather than two chief positions. The City Council cut the funding for the chief position in the water department.
"We had advertised it and we really didn't get a good fit. A position like that is something you grow from within and we didn't have strong candidates at that time," Collingwood said.
While the motion passed to cut by that amount, the mayor may bring back a budget with $1 on that line to keep the positions open. The commissioner line is also funded in that budget for $1 as a holding spot.
The increase in the water budget is going to cause a "fairly substantial hike," said Collingwood. He estimates metered customers will see an 18 percent increase to bills. The driver of the increase was debt services.
|
Account Name |
2014 Approval |
2015 Approval |
|
Water Superintendent |
$56,139 |
$57,772 |
|
Working Foreman |
$47,914 |
$49,304 |
|
Sr. Civil Engineer |
$29,198 |
$29,892 |
|
Wtr./Swr. Maintenance Person |
$148,656 |
$154,104 |
|
GIS Coordinator |
$29,298 |
$29,892 |
|
Water Mach. Repairman |
$72,849 |
$76,652 |
|
Chief TPO Non-Shift |
$50,593 |
$0 |
|
Head TPO Non-Shift |
$50,339 |
$51,548 |
|
TPO Non-Shift |
$177,437 |
$187,108 |
|
Meter Reader |
$32,561 |
$34,161 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$34,228 |
$35,057 |
|
Season Labor |
$38,400 |
$38,400 |
|
Overtime |
$90,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Utilities |
$390,000 |
$370,000 |
|
Taxes |
$125,000 |
$140,000 |
|
Maintenance |
$300,000 |
$290,000 |
|
Contractual Services |
$200,000 |
$200,000 |
|
Professional Services |
$142,016 |
$180,000 |
|
Supplies |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Chemicals |
$335,000 |
$290,000 |
|
Capital Improvements |
$0 |
$50,000 |
|
Acquisition of Equipment |
$75,000 |
$75,000 |
|
Maturing Debt |
$574,023 |
$670,867 |
|
Interest on Debt |
$259,449 |
$380,368 |
|
Debt Issuance Cost |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Allocation to General Fund |
$779,161 |
$854,865 |
Sewer and Waste Water Enterprise
The sewer enterprise fund is looking to see an increase in its budget of $46,357, which is 11.23 percent higher than last year. The entire budget is $459.043.
The increase is mostly from a new position as "working foreman," in the Sewer Department. Commissioner Bruce Collingwood said the department had a foreman who went out on medical leave. His replacement did "an exceptional job" so he hopes to keep him as a foreman. The two will have slightly different jobs, Collingwood said.
The commissioner said he plans to return to the City Council with the new organizational format.
The enterprise budget was reduced $15,000 on the expense side, all coming from a reduction in contractual services.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
*New* Working Forman |
$0 |
$49,304 |
|
Wtr./Swr. Maintenance Persons |
$142,101 |
$149,739 |
|
Overtime |
$45,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Utilities |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Maintenance |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Stormwater Services |
$25,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Contractual Services |
$100,000 |
$85,000 |
|
Mains and Manhole Supplies |
$25,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Capital Improvements |
$0 |
$0 |
Waste Water
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Sewer Superintendent |
$57,552 |
$59,212 |
|
Work Foreman Water Machine Repairmen |
$44,498 |
$46,933 |
|
Sr. Civil Engineer |
$29,198 |
$29,892 |
|
Chemist |
$51,858 |
$53,369 |
|
GIS Coordinator |
$29,298 |
$29,892 |
|
Water Machine Repairmen |
$144,634 |
$151,905 |
|
Lab Technicians |
$68,914 |
$76,503 |
|
Chief TPO Shift |
$50,593 |
$52,057 |
|
Head TPO Shift |
$187,606 |
$193,843 |
|
TPO Shift |
$314,247 |
$329,999 |
|
Head TPO Float Shift |
$77,752 |
$81,894 |
|
Senior Clerk Typist |
$29,525 |
$30,379 |
|
Seasonal Labor |
$38,400 |
$38,400 |
|
Overtime |
$90,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Utilities |
$550,000 |
$550,000 |
|
Chemical Process |
$245,000 |
$230,000 |
|
Maintenance |
$300,000 |
$280,000 |
|
Sludge Handling |
$360,000 |
$375,000 |
|
Contractual Services |
$110,000 |
$110,000 |
|
Professional Services |
$270,336 |
$180,000 |
|
Supplies |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Capital Improvements |
$0 |
$50,000 |
|
Acquisition of Equipment |
$50,000 |
$50,000 |
|
Maturing Debt |
$435,222 |
$627,809 |
|
Interest on Debt |
$245,431 |
$384,403 |
|
Debt Issuance Costs |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Allocation to the General Fund |
$418,240 |
$453,772 |
Day 3
Finance and Administration
The finance and administration budget is eyed for a $60,178 decrease, which is a reduction of 4.12 percent. The total budget is $1,400,254.
The reason for the decrease mostly centers on revaluation. The full revaluation is done once every three years so $131,000 was cut from last year's budget. There will still be $120,000 for consultants and programs that work on the assessments and personal property, according to Director of Finance Susan Carmel.
Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi again said he'd like to see jobs consolidated. He said some of the jobs are duplicated among departments and he would like some departments to be reorganized.
"In the future, I really hope we are going to look at that and see if we can work something out to consolidate and reorganize these departments where we can," Morandi said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
IT Manager |
$65,105 |
$66,670 |
|
City Accountant |
$54,335 |
$50,661 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$31,170 |
$31,290 |
|
Assessors |
$156,136 |
$188,515 |
|
Treasurer |
$73,830 |
$85,510 |
|
Tax Collector |
$56,110 |
$64,249 |
|
Info Systems Specialists |
$111,420 |
$113,160 |
|
Assistant Treasurer |
$37,985 |
$39,085 |
|
Assistant Tax Collector |
$44,050 |
$40,070 |
|
Purchasing Agent |
$56,000 |
$64,249 |
|
Deputy Purchasing Agent |
$35,516 |
$37,585 |
|
Head Clerk |
$29,380 |
$30,215 |
|
Account Clerk-Assessor |
$21,170 |
$31,290 |
|
Buyer |
$31,300 |
$32,975 |
|
Payroll Specialist |
$38,735 |
$39,660 |
|
Junior Accountant |
$39,925 |
$41,070 |
|
Benefits Analyst |
$38,735 |
$39,660 |
|
Principal Clerk Cashiers |
$58,430 |
$51,820 |
|
Senior Account Clerks |
$82,745 |
$84,895 |
|
Network Administrator |
$57,225 |
$58,625 |
|
Equipment Maintenance |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Revaluation |
$251,100 |
$120,000 |
|
Legal Ads and Subscription |
$20,000 |
$20,000 |
|
Supplies |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
Parks and Grounds
The City Council approved a $459,387 budget for the Parks and Grounds. That came after the mayor asked to revise the budget with a $10,000 increase than he proposed at first. The total budget is now increasing by $23,463 or 5.28 percent..
At the hearing, Mayor Daniel Bianchi said he wanted to submit a revised budget with $10,000 more for seasonal labor at the Common. Bianchi said the Parks Commission "were concerned that their seasonal labor was already stretched there" with an array of events planned.
Ward 7 Councilor Anthony Simonelli asked if there was a way to bring park rangers back to help reduce miscreant behavior at the lakes. Bianchi said rangers have had "mixed success" but the Parks Commission could consider it with the $10,000 increase.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
MEO-2 |
$37,004 |
$39,586 |
|
Park Maintenance Men |
$156,375 |
$165,589 |
|
Park Maintenance Superintendent |
$57,545 |
$59,212 |
|
Seasonal Labor |
$55,000 |
$55,000 |
|
Collegiate Baseball/Wahconah Park |
$10,000 |
$10,000 |
|
Maintenance of School Fields |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Maintenance of Parks |
$90,000 |
$88,500 |
|
Equipment |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
Maintenance - City
The city's maintenance budget is looking at a $23,019 decrease, which is 1.29 percent. The total budget is $1,760,129.
The City Council quested a decrease of $20,000 in the utilities line.
"We've been hearing utilities are going up, not down. But we are seeing a decrease in the budget and not an increase," said Councilor at Large Barry Clairmont.
Director of Building Maintenance Peter Sondrini said he is "optimistic about that myself" saying there have been a number of efficiency projects completed in the last year that should lower the overall expense.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Director of Maintenance |
$63,312 |
$67,522 |
|
Boiler/HVAC Repairman |
$41,665 |
$43,995 |
|
Painter |
$41,910 |
$44,151 |
|
Parking Garage Manager |
$53,981 |
$54,182 |
|
Parking Control Officers |
$54,601 |
$56,173 |
|
Working Foreman Craft |
$44,495 |
$44,666 |
|
Plumber |
$85,890 |
$87,660 |
|
Carpenters |
$129,042 |
$135,428 |
|
Principal Clerk |
$27,131 |
$27,913 |
|
HVAC Technician |
$85,382 |
$88,526 |
|
Custodian |
$28,804 |
$31,031 |
|
Office Manager |
$35,097 |
$36,093 |
|
Electricians |
$124,218 |
$131,823 |
|
Seasonal Labor |
$16,000 |
$16,000 |
|
Temporary Labor |
$0 |
$0 |
|
Custodial Labor Rentals |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Assistant Director of Maintenance |
$56,920 |
$59,966 |
|
Utilities |
$550,000 |
$520,000 |
|
Repairs Municipal |
$250,000 |
$225,200 |
|
*New* Contractual Allowances |
$0 |
$4,800 |
|
Repairs/Services Garage |
$75,000 |
$55,000
|
Maintenance - School
Maintenance for the schools are decreasing by $25,000, which is 5 percent. The total budget is $475,000.
The decrease comes from supplies, which were slashed by $32,500. The city is raising the contractual service up by $7,500.
|
Contractual Services |
$250,000 |
$257,500 |
|
Maintenance Supplies |
$250,000 |
$217,000
|
Workers Compensation
Workers compensation is increasing by $45,000, which is 6.38 percent. The total budget is $750,000.
"I'm anticipating a deficit of $60,000 to $80,000 in this year's budget," Director of Finance Susan Carmel said of the increase.
The increases are $20,000 for medical payments and $25,000 for injury on duty for police and fire. Carmel said currently there are 10 employees out and there have been 102 claims in the last year. Affecting the current budget was also the settlement of two large claims.
"This is one of the toughest ones to predict," said Ward 5 Councilor Jonathan Lothrop.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
Compensation Payments |
$345,000 |
$335,000 |
|
Medical Payments |
$205,000 |
$225,000 |
|
Injured on Duty - Police and Fire |
$155,000 |
$190,000 |
Unclassified
 The City Council is now done with three of four hearings. |
The unclassified budget is increasing by $250,083. The total budget is 44,369,375, which is .57 percent more than last year.
Those figures came after the City Council cut $150,000 out of the budget because of questions surrounding the switch in health care from the GIC to Blue Cross Blue Shield. The cut brought a new line for health care mitigation down to $250,000 from $400,000.
The creation of the mitigation fund came via contract with the Pittsfield Employees Committee. The mitigation fund is for one-time annual payments to any employee who now has higher payments. Director of Finance Susan Carmel said the PEC has an agreement with the city that calls for a mitigation fund of 25 percent of the difference between two years.
However, Councilors Jonathan Lothrop and Barry Clairmont said they remember being told the city needed to set aside a quarter of a million.
"I thought we contractually agreed to put a quarter of a million in that account," Clairmont said.
Lothrop said he never saw an agreement between the PEC and the city but he, too, remembered a figure of $250,000. He asked Carmel to provide that to the council before the final vote on the entire budget.
"Blue Cross is recommending a different formula that is higher. I'd rather be more conservative," said Mayor Daniel Bianchi.
Carmel said she hopes to reduce it next year but right now, the 1,200 employees impacted have only just finished open enrollment so it isn't know how much the mitigation fund will have to pay out.
President Melissa Mazzeo said what she read was an email saying years two and three in the agreement would be limited to $250,000 but the first year wouldn't be.
Clairmont, however, pointed out that the city has "overbudgeted" the health insurance in the last two years anyway so if the fund needs to be higher for contractual reasons, then it can be pulled from there.
Only Mazzeo and Ward 3 Councilor Nicholas Caccamo opposed the cut.
Caccamo questioned the mayor's long-term plan for the inspection services, which moved to 100 North St. The unclassified budget is where the $118,540 for the lease is listed.
"I am assuming next year will be the same thing. What is the long-term viability after year three? What will this budget look like after then?" Caccamo said.
Bianchi said ultimately he would like to build a new police station, renovate the current station and move the inspectors there. But, that is more than three years away so he expects to renegotiate a new lease after the third-year option expires.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Approval |
|
40U Hearings Officer |
$2,500 |
$2,500 |
|
40U Clerk |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Crossing Guards |
$26,100 |
$25,000 |
|
Scheduled Overtime |
$140,000 |
$130,000 |
|
Insurance Medicare Coverage |
$970,000 |
$1,010,000 |
|
Insurance Health |
$21,320,000 |
$20,150,000 |
|
*New* Health Ins. Mitigation Account |
$0 |
$250,000 |
|
Insurance General |
$900,000 |
$1,034,000 |
|
Insurance Group Life |
$90,000 |
$82,500 |
|
Insurance Unemployment |
$175,000 |
$220,000 |
|
Retirement Contribution |
$10,643,558 |
$11,091,402 |
|
Benefits Conversion |
$240,000 |
$400,000 |
|
Animal Shelter Management Fee |
$48,700 |
$52,360 |
|
Telephone and Internet |
$135,000 |
$125,000 |
|
Computer Upgrade and Repair |
$73,500 |
$70,000 |
|
Computer License and Support |
$200,000 |
$220,000 |
|
City Audit |
$95,000 |
$95,000 |
|
Contractual Services |
$0 |
$118,540 |
|
Tyler Street Business Group |
$0 |
$10,000 |
|
Medicaid Services |
$40,000 |
$40,000 |
|
Seminars/Travel/Dues |
$15,000 |
$25,000 |
|
Bank Service Charges |
$15,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Contingency |
$500,000 |
$275,000 |
|
Capital Expenditures |
$250,000 |
$230,000 |
|
Long-term Debt Principal |
$6,455,500 |
$7,216,120 |
|
Long-term Debt Interest |
$2,530,335 |
$2,409,090 |
|
Short-term Debt Interest |
$350,000 |
$250,000 |
|
Debt Issuance Costs |
$100,000 |
$130,000 |
|
Allocation from Water |
($779,161) |
($854,865) |
|
Allocation from Sewer |
($418,240) |
($453,772 |
Day 4
Fire
The Fire Department budget is increasing by $287,942, which is 4.4 percent. The total budget is $6,831,939.
The City Council voiced concern with the overtime budget. This year, the city is going to have to move some $150,000 from other budget sources to balance that line. Overall, emergency manning is expected to be deficit of $260,000.
"Our staffing is adequate. The biggest issue this year is sick time and injury on the job," Chief Robert Czerwinski said. "Every day they are out, that costs us time and a half to get them back in."
The chief said a eight or nine employees were either out on long-term injury or injured on duty. Mayor Daniel Bianchi said the city is setting up protocols with medical staff to try and get firefighters back to work quickly.
"Those guys are back and we are hopeful that there is one other firefighter on the verge of retirement and is on the injured list," Bianchi said. "I'm confident that next year we are going to be able to cut down on that... I think we can do a better job at getting guys treated and back."
The mayor added that eight or nine firefighters are retiring and they'll be replaced with lower paid employees, opening up more room in the budget.
Ward 2 Councilor Kevin Morandi questioned a cut to the master mechanic's line. Czerwinski said the department is looking to contract out more of its mechanic work to cut down on those costs.
The budget was unanimously approved.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Mayoral Request |
|
Fire Chief |
89,505 |
$99,340 |
|
Deputy Fire Chiefs |
$340,000 |
$357,500 |
|
Fire Captains |
$705,000 |
$756,472 |
|
Fire Lieutenants |
$942,000 |
$982,243 |
|
Firefighters |
$3,366,132 |
$3,527,764 |
|
Head Clerk |
$332,305 |
$33,365 |
|
Master Mechanic |
$63,795 |
$32,050 |
|
Principal Clerk |
$27,102 |
$30,065 |
|
Office Manager |
$40,818 |
$37,010 |
|
Emergency Apparatus Staffing |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Emergency Manning |
$526,810 |
$550,000 |
|
Assuming Additional Response |
$24,200 |
$24,200 |
|
Uniforms |
$70,875 |
$88,475 |
|
Maintenance General |
$19,100 |
$12,100 |
|
Vehicle Maintenance |
$120,000 |
$140,000 |
|
Medical Maintenance |
$13,000 |
$13,000 |
|
Education and Training |
$20,000 |
$15,000 |
|
Arson Investigation |
$4,000 |
$4,000 |
|
Supplies |
$7,500 |
$7,500 |
|
Equipment |
$30,000 |
$30,000 |
|
Equipment Replacement |
$35,000 |
$35,000 |
|
CAD License/Maint/Admin Fees |
$36,855 |
$26,855 |
Emergency Management
The Emergency Management budget is decreasing by $7,590, or 21.29 percent. The total budget is $28,060.
The decrease comes from a reduction in the cost for the Code Red program. The Code Red is used as a citywide warning system.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Mayoral Request |
|
Deputy Director of Emergency Management |
$2,250 |
$2,250 |
|
Utilities |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Education and Training |
$500 |
$500 |
|
Code Red |
$30,000 |
$22,410 |
|
Supplies |
$100 |
$100 |
|
Emergency Operating Center |
$1,500 |
$1,500 |
|
Radio Amateur |
$150 |
$150 |
|
Radio Citizen |
$150 |
$150 |
Cultural Development
The Cultural Development budget is increasing by $4,170, or 3.96 percent. The total budget is $109,430.
Operating expenses are down by $1,300. The increase is for salaries for each of the three staff members.
Ward 6 Councilor John Krol pointed out that the city's Third Thursday street fairs are not part of the budget. That is funded by grants and vendor feels. According to Director Jennifer Glockner, the festival is funded on a $30,000 budget that pays the entertainers while breaking even from vendor fees.
"A lot of the time you see this bugdet and you can't see the impact cultural development has," Krol said.
|
Account Name |
2015 Approval |
2016 Mayoral Request |
|
Director |
$47,550 |
$52,910 |
|
Administrative Assistant |
$19,835 |
$20,480 |
|
Tourism Administrator |
$14,375 |
$13,240 |
|
Building Maintenance |
$1,200 |
$0 |
|
Contractual Services |
$2,500 |
$4,000 |
|
Tourism Expenses |
$12,000 |
$12,000 |
|
Visitor Center Expenses |
$1,000 |
$1,000 |
|
Supplies |
$3,500 |
$3,500 |
|
Telephone |
$0 |
$800 |
|
Travel and Dues |
$0 |
$1,500 |
|
Equipment Building |
$800 |
$0 |
|
Fees and Services |
$2,500 |
$0 |
|
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