North Adams Mayor Submits ‘Pure Maintenance Budget

North Adams Mayor Thomas Bernard has introduced a $40.7 million budget proposal.

The Berkshire Eagle reports that the mayor's spending plan is an increase of $771,599, or 1.9 percent, over last year's budget.

The proposal, which will be reviewed by the City Council over a series of committee meetings in the coming weeks, is Bernard's first since his inauguration earlier this year.

Bernard attributed much of the spending increase to contracts with employee unions in public safety, education, and public services that had been settled under former Mayor Richard Alcombright.

The budget does not call for any staffing cuts. The final version of the budget proposal would be brought back to the full council on June 12 and final approval would be expected on June 26.