2024 Budget Day 1: Pittsfield Council OKs 9 Department BudgetsBy Brittany Polito, iBerkshires Staff
07:33AM / Thursday, May 18, 2023 | |
 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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