The Pittsfield City Council on Tuesday approved a $151 million operating budget, the first drafted by Mayor Linda Tyer.The councilors voted 7 to 4 in support of the spending plan that’s about $8,000 more than what Tyer requested. The budget is a roughly $6 million increase from the current one. Tyer’s proposal includes approximately $1 million for additional police officers and equipment in the wake of recent shootings in the city.
“We took a different approach this year that involved a collaborative effort among all the departments rather than everybody working silos,” said Tyer.
Councilors debated Tyer’s proposals during lengthy hearings over the past two weeks. The council also approved a nearly $12 million capital plan.
