Pittsfield Begins Review of $226M Budget for Fiscal 2026

On the second night of fiscal year 2026 budget hearings, the City Council preliminarily approved 11 departmental budgets in 40 minutes.

Pittsfield's $226M Budget Mostly Personnel, Expenses, Debt Service

Mayor Peter Marchetti said the $226 million fiscal year 2026 budget is mostly personnel, expenses, and debt services.

Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs School Budget

The City Council kicked off budget season on Wednesday with a preliminary approval of the Pittsfield Public Schools' $86 million spending plan.

Pittsfield School Committee Adopts $86M Budget

The School Committee on Wednesday adopted a $86,450,361 budget for fiscal year 2026 that includes an $18 million city contribution and more than $68 million of anticipated Chapter 70 funding.

Pittsfield School Committee Mulls Lukewarm FY26 Budget

On Wednesday, School Committee members aired their suggestions for the $87 million budget proposal with $1,238,000 in payroll reductions expected to be made through job movement, attrition, retirements, etc.

Pittsfield School Officials Making Budget Recommendations Wednesday

The School Committee will make recommendations for the district's fiscal year 2026 budget on Wednesday.

Pittsfield Braces for 'Difficult' Budget Season

The upcoming budget cycle will be "difficult" and have no frills, officials say.

Pittsfield Tax Rate May Drop But Bills Rise

There will be a tax classification hearing during Tuesday's City Council meeting, which begins at 6 p.m.

Pittsfield Council Passes $216M Budget, Cuts Schools

Councilors approved a $215,955,210 spending plan that is a 5 percent increase from this year and includes a $200,000 reduction to the $82 million Pittsfield Public School budget. The budget passed 10-1 with Ward 2 Councilor Brittany Noto in opposition.

Big Votes Await Pittsfield City Council

Tuesday is a big day for Pittsfield, as the City Council will take a final vote on the fiscal 2025 budget, a five-year trash contract, and water and sewer rates.

Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs Last of FY25 Budgets

The Pittsfield Police Department's nearly $15 million budget generated the most conversation, including an unsuccessful attempt to reduce the Shotspotter and body camera line by $250,000. Other departments were supported with little or no discussion.

Pittsfield Council Preliminarily OKs 12 Departmental Budgets for FY25

The City Council breezed through 12 departmental budgets on the third day of hearings for fiscal year 2025. All were preliminarily approved with a unanimous vote.

Pittsfield Council Cuts School Budget After 'Unprofessional' Comments

The City Council preliminarily approved a $216 million budget for fiscal year 2025 with a last-minute reduction to the schools.

Pittsfield Council Gives Preliminary OK to $82M School Budget

It was a divisive vote, passing 6-4 with one councilor absent, and survived two proposals for significant cuts.

Pittsfield Council Endorses 11 Departmental Budgets

The City Council preliminarily approved 11 department budgets in under 90 minutes on the first day of fiscal year 2025 hearings.

Pittsfield School Committee OKs $82M Budget, $1.5M Cuts

The school budget is less grim than the original proposal but still requires more than $1.5 million in cuts.

Chapter 70 Fix Adds $2.4M to Pittsfield School Budget

Marchetti Defends Pittsfield Tax Rates in Advance of FY25 Budget

Mayor Peter Marchetti defended the city's tax rate on Tuesday, asking residents to look at all of the figures before making a judgment.

Pittsfield School Officials Dig Into 'Not Ideal' FY25 Budget

Superintendent Joseph Curtis reiterated that the $80 million spending plan is not ideal but assured that the district will continue to serve its community with pride, purpose, compassion, and understanding.

Pittsfield Mayor Open to Level/Service Funded Budget

Mayor Peter Marchetti won't support the sacrifices a level-funded city budget would entail but is willing to compromise.

Pittsfield Public School Budget Cuts Trigger Little Feedback at Hearing

The proposed districtwide reductions include 27 teachers, 26 paraprofessionals, and seven instruction and accountability coordinators.

Pittsfield's $80M School Budget Proposal 'Not Ideal,' Cuts Over 100 Employees

The school administration delivered a somber budget presentation for fiscal 2025, including a proposed reduction of more than 100 staff members.

New Finance Subcommittee Sees Pittsfield Q2 Financial Review

The Finance subcommittee last week was presented with a second-quarter review of fiscal 2024, which ended on Dec. 31.

New Pittsfield School Committee Meets for First Time

The new School Committee met for the first time on Wednesday, organizing its leadership and approving a budget calendar for fiscal 2025.

Pittsfield Council Divided on Level-Funded Budget Petition

Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso is stunned by tax rate increases and wants the city to take immediate action in preparation for the fiscal 2025 budget season.