The Pittsfield City Council approved a $145 million budget for fiscal 2016 Tuesday night. The spending plan is up nearly three percent from the previous one.
City councilors gave the spending plan the go ahead by an 8 to 3 vote. Mayor Dan Bianchi says city expenses are increasing due to debt service, rising energy costs and public safety contracts. The school department’s budget is also up nearly $2 million from the previous year’s.
After initially failing to reach a two-thirds majority on an $11 million capital projects budget, the council reconsidered its vote and approved the spending plan.
