NORTHAMPTON — The City Council unanimously approved the coming year’s budget of $109.6 million in first reading at its June 1 council meeting.
The spending plan for fiscal 2018 will go to a final vote during the next City Council meeting on June 15. The budget begins with the new fiscal year on July 1.
Narkewicz delivered the budget to the council earlier this month and has conducted a series of hearings on its details. The council must approve the budget by June 30.
The spending plan reflects an increase of about 3 percent over the current year’s budget. Education spending — $36.5 million between the city’s two school districts — accounts for the largest expenditure in the budget. School spending also represents the largest increase from the current year’s budget, a rise of about $1.4 million.
Amanda Drane can be contacted at adrane@gazettenet.com.