PITTSFIELD, Mass.— The city's tax rates have gone down but rising property values will increase most bills.  

On Tuesday, the City Council approved a residential tax rate of $17.94 per $1,000 of valuation and a commercial, industrial, and personal property tax rate of $37.96 per $1,000 of valuation.

The fiscal year 2025 rate is 51 cents lower than the previous year but the average tax bill for a single-family home valued at $295,291 will increase by $354.51 annually. Last year, the same home was worth $267,914.

Of the 11,328 single-family homes, 568 will see a decrease, 1,687 will see an increase of less than $100, and 3,777 will see an increase less than the average.

"As you can see, most of our assessed values are up," Chief Assessor Laura Catalano said.

While a couple of councilors expressed concerns, the motion passed unanimously.

"As I said before, this is always the worst meeting for me," Councilor at Large Kathy Amuso said.

At the beginning of the term in January, she submitted a petition asking for a budget that is as close to level-funded as possible. She said the city collaboratively worked hard to get close to that goal and going forward, they should do the same.