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2024 Budget Day 1: Pittsfield Council OKs 9 Department Budgets
By Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
07:33AM / Thursday, May 18, 2023
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The Pittsfield City Council reviewed and gave preliminary approval to nine department budgets on Wednesday.


Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick objects to budget on Wednesday and voted against all but three department budgets. 

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The City Council preliminarily approved nine departmental budgets on Wednesday, the first day of hearings for fiscal year 2024. 

Budget Day 2

Ward 2 Councilor Charles Kronick made failed attempts to reduce multiple line items and voted against all but three departments: the Retired Seniors Volunteer Program, Veterans Services, and City Solicitor. 
 
"The budget for Pittsfield has totally ignored the shift in our population and the ability of our tax base," he said while taking the podium during open microphone. 
 
"I would hypothesize that the reported increase in population is actually an increase in the poor and those who are not able to support the property tax levies. The 10 percent increase in our budget will put a great pressure on people to leave." 
 
Kronick said salary hikes are what is driving the increased budget and the trend will drive people out, reducing the value of residents' taxes. 
 
He will submit a petition to amend the city code that mandates cost-of-living adjustments. 
 
"[Mayor Linda Tyer] will have three options to accept these options that I propose," he said. "One: reduce the salary, two: she can reduce positions, or three: she can apply furloughs. These are all acceptable ways of managing payroll that is not affordable." 
 
The proposed FY24 budget of $205,634,497 is almost $17,000,000, or 8.9 percent higher than the previous year. It consists of $109,350,895 for the city operating budget, $78,088,016 for the school budget, and an enterprise total of $18,195,586. 
 
Tyer describes the spending plan as a "maintenance budget" 
 
"The FY24 budget is best described as a maintenance budget meaning that this budget consists of the cost of labor, the cost of required materials, supplies, equipment and technology, and the cost of contracted services," she said. 
 
"Our proposal does preserve existing positions in the city and school operations, maintains services that the community expects and deserves, and it accounts for inflation." 
 
She has proposed a $1 million appropriation of free cash to offset the tax rate. 
 
RSVP
 
The Retired Seniors Volunteer Program budget of $117,017 was preliminarily approved with no debate.  It is a $9,875, or 9.22 percent, increase from the previous year. 

 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Director of RSVP

$36,678

$37,944

$40,235

$44,290

$44,241

Volunteer Coordinator

$21,915

$22,346

$24,974

$27,491

$30,907

Administrative Assistant

$23,187

$23,740

$25,500

$28,070

$32,619

Membership and Dues

$400

$0

$50

$55

$150

Postage

$600

$750

$750

$826

$0

Staff Training

$300

$0

$250

$275

$750

Telephone

$6

$0

$0

$0

$0

Supplies

$1,400

$0

$1,000

$1,101

$1,675

Staff Travel

$1,000

$0

$0

$0

$4,600

Volunteer Recognition

$2,500

$0

$2,000

$2,202

$0

Equipment and Copier Lease

$1,981

$1,665

$1,665

$1,833

$1,575

Total

$89,967

$86,445

$96,424

$106,142

$117,017
 
Mayor's Office
 
The budget of $255,797 was preliminarily approved with Kronick in opposition. It is a $13,013, or 5.36 percent, increase from the previous year. 
 
Kronick unsuccessfully motioned to reduce the department by $14,000, originally aiming to target Tyer's salary before he was reminded that salaries are set by the city code. 
 
Councilor at Large Karen Kalinowsky questioned the 5 and 7 percent raises within the department. 
 
"What we did for all salaries across the board is we follow the ordinance that passed by the City Council which caps the (cost of living adjustment) at 5 percent," Tyer said. 
 
"The COLA is actually way more than that but it's capped at 5 percent and then we conducted performance evaluations, which is another value that the City Council has emphasized in the last 10 years or so, and based on performance evaluation, employees got one percent, 1 1/2 percent, 2 percent, depending on the score of their performance evaluation. We could have held it back. We chose not to." 
 
Ward 6 Councilor Dina Lampiasi highlighted the administration's efforts to provide better pay and said that it is part of the equation to address the declining population. 
 
"I just think it's important to highlight that because your administration saw that was problematic and you took steps to fix it," she said. 
 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Mayor

$98,453

$100,915

$102,428

$110,000

$115,725

Director of Admin Services

$58,101

$59,554

$62,889

$67,605

$70,000

Executive Assistant

$41,354

$42,125

$46,516

$50,004

$53,872

Markets and Advertising

$300

$300

$125

$125

$200

Supplies

$2,575

$2,575

$2,575

$2,450

$2,500

Travel

$1,000

$1,000

$0

0

$1,000

MA Municipal Association

$11,200

$11,200

$11,500

$11,500

$12,500

Total

$212,983

$216,669

$225,908

$242,784

$255,797

 

City Council

The budget of $109,262 was preliminarily approved with Kronick in opposition and is the same as last year. 

He unsuccessfully motioned to reduce the department by $5,000, calling out the funding that goes toward the annual Massachusetts Municipal Association conference in Boston. 

Ward 5 Councilor Patrick Kavey said education and training are important and suggested that Kronick utilize the resources. 

"It's really ironic to me that the person who wants to eliminate this line item or reduce it has never attended one of those," Lampiasi said about the conference. 

Kronick said that if councilors can afford to attend the event on their own and it does not need to be paid for by the taxpayers. 

Councilor at Large Peter White has attended every MMA conference as possible and said they are "very rewarding."

He referenced remarks made by former Ward 1 Councilor Helen Moon, who had said running for council needs to be accessible to everyone in the community. 

"Let's not make it less accessible to those who we want to have run for office," White said. 

"We don't want this to be a body that only the wealthy can run for and represent people.  Let's not take it out of the reach of everyone in our community and let's make sure that everyone up here if they choose to be, can be educated." 

Account Name

2020  Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Councilors

$90,002

$90,002

$90,002

$90,002

$90,002

Clerk of the City Council

$4,000

$4,000

$4,000

$4,000

$4,000

Clerk of Committees

$8,640

$8,640

$8,640

$8,640

$8,640

Education and Training

$0

$2,420

$2,420

$4,620

$4,620

Advertising/Marketing

$1,250

$1,000

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

Total

$103,892

$106,062

$107,062

$109,262

$109,262

 

Veterans services

The budget of $872,692  was preliminarily approved with little discussion.  It is a $42,766, or a 4.6 percent, reduction from the previous year. 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Veterans' Agent

$51,102

$53,657

$55,312

$59,460

$62,433

Administrative Assistant

$28,165

$33,243

$33,742

$34,248

$37,259

Equipment Maintenance

$0

$842

$1,400

$1,500

$1,750

Rental Expense

$6,500

$6,500

$6,500

$6,500

$6,500

Flags

$2,000

$8,600

$8,600

$11,000

$12,000

Supplies

$2,000

$3,000

$2,000

$2,500

$2,500

Program Expense

$982,457

$900,000

$900,000

$800,000

$750,000

Award and Declarations

$250

$300

$250

$250

$250

Total

$1,072,474

$1,005,650

$1,007,804

$915,458

$872,692

Council on Aging

The Council on Aging budget of $392,042 was preliminarily approved with little discussion. It is a $20,987, or 5.66 percent, increase from the previous year. 

Kronick voted in opposition but gave no feedback. 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Director

$59,728

$61,221

$64,240

$69,057

$74,686

Senior Clerk Typist

$33,282

$34,251

$34,898

$34,115

$36,460

Admin Assistant/Supervisor

$25,675

$28,084

$34,895

$37,513

$39,233

Soc Serv Tech/Custodian

$33,443

$29,267

$30,640

$36,876

$38,667

Soc Serv Tech/Custodian (PT)

$26,422

$28,240

$34,546

$38,090

$37,919

Program Assistant

$34,076

$35,055

$39,463

$41,181

$44,369

Activities Leaders (PT)

$22,403

$11,202

$33,218

$33,330

$38,472

Kitchen Coordinator

$23,860

$23,860

$15,600

$18,093

$19,236

Temp. Labor

$3,485

$3,485

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

Equipment Maintenance

$6,300

$6,300

$6,300

$7,656

$6,900

Building Maintenance

$14,000

$14,000

$15,000

$17,691

$21,000

Printing

$1,000

$1,000

$1,000

$1,179

$1,200

Supplies

$2,500

$2,500

$2,500

$2,948

$3,000

Program Expense

$23,900

$23,900

$23,900

$28,325

$25,900

Total

$310,074

$302,365

$341,200

$371,055

$392,042

 

Human Resources

The Human Resources budget of $258,211 was preliminarily approved with Kronick in opposition. It is a $24,163, or a 10.32 percent, increase from the previous year. 
 
Kronick unsuccessfully motioned to reduce the budget by $22,000 in opposition to COLA salary increases and the line item for bilingual compensation for the entire city staff that was raised by $9,700. 
 
Earlier this year, the council approved an increase in bilingual pay incentives and six employees receive the benefit. 
 
"We just internally felt it made sense to have it housed in one place," Human Resources Director Michael Taylor explained about the line item. 
 
"It was best for me to manage it because under the ordinance anyway, I am essentially giving final approval to that stipend anyway." 
 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Director of Human Resources

-

$76,951

$90,430

$97,212

$105,135

Human Resources Specialist

-

$44,654

$48,452

$52,086

$56,126

Training

$5,000

$13,500

$13,500

$15,000

$15,000

Educational Opportunity

$5,000

$0

$0

$0

$0

City Physician/ Medical Services

$40,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

$30,000

Online Application Program

$5,600

$5,600

$5,600

$9,750

$9,750

Stipend Language Prof

$3,000

$3,000

$3,000

$6,500

$16,200

Diversity and Inclusion

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

-

Postage

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Supplies

$3,000

$3,500

$3,500

$3,500

$3,500

Assessment Centers

$19,500

$19,500

$19,500

$15,000

$15,000

Recruitment and Retention

-

-

$3,000

$5,000

$7,500

Total

$200,857

$201,705

$218,982

$234,048

$258,211

 
Airport
 
The Pittsfield Municipal Airport budget of $311,215 was preliminarily approved with Kronick in opposition. It is a $13,987, or a 4.71 percent, increase from the previous year. 
 
Kronick unsuccessfully motioned to decrease the department budget by $46,000. 
 
"The numbers I am proposing are based on a reversion and my whole assumption approaching this budget is a reversion of spending to 2022 levels," he explained. 
 
"Ambitious but that’s what the people are needing.  Any really, tax relief." 
 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Airport Manager

$61,837

$62,445

$66,265

$71,235

$76,667

Assistant Airport Manager

$50,696

$51,566

$54,768

$58,876

$63,423

Airport Inspector

$40,785

$41,396

$45,623

$49,045

$52,853

Scheduled Overtime

$10,000

$10,000

$10,000

$10,000

$10,000

Commission Clerk

$1,872

$1,872

$1,872

$1,872

$1,872

Contractual Services

$12,000

$12,000

$12,000

$10,000

$10,000

Utilities

$56,800

$55,000

$55,000

$50,000

$50,000

Telephone

$2,200

$2,200

$2,200

$2,000

$2,000

Maintenance

$30,000

$28,000

$28,000

$28,000

$30,000

Snow Removal

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

Education & Training

$0

$0

$0

$3,000

$2,700

Membership and Dues

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

$700

$1,200

Supplies

$2,500

$2,500

$2,500

$2,500

$2,500

Equipment

-

-

$0

$5,000

$3,000

Total

$275,190

$273,479

$284,728

$297,228

$311,215

City Solicitor

The City Solicitor's budget of $267,626 was preliminarily approved with little discussion. It is a $31,194, or 13.19 percent, increase from the previous year. 
 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

City Solicitor

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Assistant City Solicitor

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Executive Legal Secretary

$45,358

$46,873

$50,169

$53,932

$50,126

Tax Title Litigation

$1,500

$1,500

$5,000

$5,000

$5,000

Supplies

$1,000

$1,000

$500

$500

$500

Law Library

$11,500

$3,250

$0

$0

$0

Legal Fees and Court Costs

$162,000

$162,000

$170,000

$175,000

$210,000

Legal Settlements

$0

$0

$0

$0

$0

Equipment Maintenance

$2,800

$2,800

$2,000

$2,000

$2,000

Total

$222,007

$219,746

$227,669

$236,432

$267,626

 
Library
 
The Berkshire Athenaeum budget of $1,514,980 was preliminarily approved with no discussion and Kronick in opposition.  It is a $137,624, or 10 percent, increase from the previous year. 
 
 

Account Name

2020 Approval

2021 Approval

2022 Approval

2023 Approval

2024 Approval

Senior Supervisors

$201,242

$203,251

$211,268

$268,348

$303,848

Supervisor Specialist

$42,269

$42,903

$47,035

$50,368

$54,649

Supervisor Specialist

$132,277

$118,736

$130,943

$128,045

$139,934

Library Assistant II

$75,587

$147,678

$163,932

$173,326

$194,700

Senior Technicians

$110,956

$150,005

$159,835

$166,403

$175,813

Senior Assistants

$99,169

$123,392

$132,720

$150,859

$160,135

Director of Athenaeum

$74,419

$75,988

$81,343

$87,443

$94,208

Library Custodians

$77,788

$78,562

$82,413

$83,202

$104,808

Library Assistant I

$77,888

$85,317

$98,011

$98,996

$110,865

Library Technicians

$70,202

$35,645

$37,388

$39,293

$43,354

Library Shelvers

$68,328

$6,727

$2,874

$2,998

$3,021

Equipment Maintenance

$950

$950

$950

$1,000

$975

Library Staff Development

$1,000

$1,000

$3,000

$3,000

$3,000

Supplies - General

$12,770

$12,770

$12,770

$12,770

$12,770

Supplies - Custodial

$6,450

$6,450

$6,450

$6,450

$7,850

Binding and Microfilm

$3,575

$3,575

$3,575

$3,575

$4,300

Newspapers and Periodicals

$10,000

$7,000

$7,000

$7,000

$7,000

Books and Audio Visual

$64,039

$30,000

$30,000

$40,000

$40,000

Travel

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

Unclassified - Library

$1,900

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

$1,500

Library Networking Fees

$50,420

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

$50,000

Total $1,184,229 $1,184,229 $1,265,737 $1,315,737 $1,514,980

 

 

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