EASTHAMPTON — The City Council passed the $62 million fiscal year budget put forward by Mayor Nicole LaChapelle, although not without some controversy regarding reduced hours for several city employees.

The budget managed to avoid any cuts or funding gaps, and represents an 8.4% increase in city spending. But six municipal employees will see a reduced amount of hours, with LaChapelle referring to the work reduction as a “resetting” to base working hours after the employees were previously approved for additional time. The reduction affects workers in the city’s Council on Aging, information technology and health departments.

Though the reduction in hours amounts to around $23,000, it was enough to draw criticism from members of the general public, city staff and councilors during the June 11 meeting on the budget.

“I don’t understand why people are being treated this way,” At-large Councilor Koni Denham said. “People are suffering in this community over this. People are having their services cut because of this.”

Denham also noted that the budget included a pay increase for several city department heads, totaling $27,000, more than what the city saves in hours reduction.

“That is a transfer of wealth from our lowest paid employees to our highest paid employees,” Denham said. “That is unacceptable.”

Liz Plouffe, a social worker with the city’s health department, told the council during the meeting she had resigned in part due to the reduction in hours.

“The process was not carried out the way that it’s supposed to be,” said Plouffe, who was visibly emotional as she spoke. “This process and the discussions that have taken place about us have felt incredibly disrespectful and dismissive.”

Although there was some discussion of tabling the general government portion of the budget, which concerns the staff members, the council ultimately decided by a majority to approve it. At-large member Brad Riley said that while he was also in favor of approving the additional money to employees, the council can’t force the mayor to do so.

“I’ve had conversations with the mayor about this topic. It needs to play out as it needs to play out,” Riley said. “She’s not out to hurt the employees, this is just a contentious situation. I don’t know of any union negotiation where everybody walks in and doesn’t come out with at least one lump on their head.”

The mayor’s office is currently in negotiations with representatives from the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME) union regarding the hour reduction. Should the union succeed in winning back the hours, a special meeting of the City Council will be needed to approve an appropriation of additional funds.

LcChapelle did not immediately respond to requests for comment for this story.

Regarding the rest of the budget, education dominates fiscal 2026 spending, totaling $22.8 million, or 36.78%, of the total budget. The budget maintains level services with a 10.25% spending increase over the current year, and will not present the district with any layoffs.

Public safety will receive $9 million, a 6.6% increase over this year. This budget category includes the Police Department, Fire Department and ambulance, dispatch, and building inspection services.

Public works will receive $2.4 million, which represents an 8.6% increase over this past year. This category includes the Department of Public Works, cemetery and tree warden.

Alexander MacDougall can be reached at amacdougall@gazettenet.com.