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Proposed Pittsfield Tax Rate Would Hike Bills 8.75%

By Brittany PolitoiBerkshires Staff
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PITTSFIELD, Mass. — The administration is proposing a split tax rate that will increase the average homeowner's bill by 8.75 percent.

City Council will hold a tax classification hearing on Tuesday for the fiscal 2024 tax rate; the meeting begins at 6 p.m. at City Hall.

Mayor Linda Tyer and the Board of Assessors have put forward a residential rate of $18.45 per $1,000 of valuation and a commercial, industrial, and personal property rate of $39.61.

This is based on a residential factor of 0.8151 and a commercial shift of 1.75. The city will utilize a levy of about $109.1 million.

The residential rate for FY23 was $18.32 per $1,000 of valuation and the commercial, industrial, and personal property rate was $39.21. If the council adopts the proposed rates, there would be a 13 cent, or 0.7 percent, increase for residential and a 40 cent, or one percent, increase for commercial, industrial, and personal property.

An average home valued at nearly $267,914 will pay an estimated $4,943 in property taxes, representing a $397.82 increase from the previous year when the average home value was $248,100.  This would amount to about $33 additional dollars a month.



Commercial properties would see a less dramatic increase of about $145 yearly, as the assessed median value has only increased by $1,550 from FY23.

The assessed residential value for FY24 is $3,868,977,337, an 8 percent increase from the previous year, and the city's total taxable value is $4,822,885,672, a 7.5 percent increase from the previous year.  
The FY24 tax levy of $109,166,941 is a 7.93 percent and more than $8 million increase from FY23.

Between receipts and real and personal property taxes, the city expects to raise almost $230 million in FY24.
 


Tags: fiscal 2024,   tax classification,   

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Springfield Man Charged for Murder in Friday Night Pittsfield Stabbing

PITTSFIELD, Mass. — A Springfield man is being charged with murder in the stabbing death of a 36-year-old city man on Friday night. 
 
Zyrus Jaynes, 24, was charged with one count of murder, and is expected to be arraigned in Central Berkshire District Court on Monday, June 1.
 
Police did not release the name of the stabbing victim. 
 
According to a police report by Lt. John Soules, officers responded to a report of an assault at a residence on Hall Place at about 10 p.m. on Friday. 
 
The found the Pittsfield man "suffering from a life-threatening stab wound." First responders treated him and transported him to Berkshire Medical Center, where the victim died of his injuries.
 
As a result of the ensuing police investigation, which included cooperation from a number of witnesses, a suspect was identified and arrested the following morning.  
 
While a suspect has been arrested, police say the incident is still under investigation in conjunction with the Berkshire County District Attorney's Office. Anyone who wishes to provide information is asked to contact Detective James Losaw at 413-448-9700, Ext. 572. Information can also be provided anonymously by texting PITTIP and your message to TIP411 (847411.)
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