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Pittsfield council adopts FY2025 tax classification, sets residential factor at 0.8271
Summary
The Pittsfield City Council set the FY2025 residential factor at 0.827103 with a 1.75 CIP shift, adopting a single tax-rate framework that keeps a residential rate below last year's figure while addressing levy-limit pressures and planning for future new-growth efforts.
The Pittsfield City Council voted unanimously to set the city's fiscal 2025 tax-classification with a residential factor of 0.827103 and a CIP shift of 1.75, action the Board of Assessors and city finance staff said will raise the $232,299,670.99 required for the budget.
Laura Catalano, chair of the Board of Assessors, presented the classification options and underlying property data, saying the average single-family home value used in the presentation was $295,291 and that the city's new growth totaled $53,559,759 (about $1,872,514 in tax dollars). Catalano said the proposed split puts residential properties on the hook for roughly 67.2% of the levy while commercial, industrial and personal property make up the remainder.
The vote followed a public hearing and extended council questioning on levy capacity, new-growth prospects, and potential alternative revenue sources. Director Kerwood (city finance) told councilors the city's excess levy capacity was unusually low this year and urged attention to building a steady pipeline of new projects to grow the tax base. Several councilors asked whether options in a pending state municipal-empowerment package (meals and hotel taxes, among others) might change the city's choices in future years; staff said any newly authorized taxes would likely not be implemented before fiscal 2026 and would depend on final state legislation.
Council debate ranged from concerns about individual homeowners who will face higher bills to gratitude for staff preparation and transparency. Councillor Musso said the administration's budgeting work had helped arrive at a responsible result; Councillor Warren praised the assessor's office for providing an early estimate of free cash to aid planning.
By roll call, the council recorded 11 votes in favor and none opposed; councilors present and recorded as voting yes included Councillor Cabbie, Councillor Koenig, Councillor Musso, Councillor Costa, Councillor Cyr, Councillor Noto, Councillor Wren, President White, Councilor Persip, Councilor Lampiazi and Councilor Warren. The classification and tax rate now move to the usual administrative processing for tax-bill mailing.
