This pie chart shows that in Fiscal Year 2009, the city spent 73% of the General Fund budget on personnel, both salaries and benefits. 18% of the budget went toward operating expenses such as utilities, office supplies and maintenance. Eight percent of the budget went toward managing the city's debt. One percent of the city's budget went toward Other than Ordinary Maintenance, a category that includes extraordinary non-recurring expenses, such as the purchase of a new police car or plow truck.

This pie chart shows how the city's General Fund is spent according to broad categories of services provided by the city. In the Fiscal Year 2009, the city allocated 61% of its General Fund spending to education, both the Northampton Public School District and the Smith Vocational and Educational School.

Public Safety comprised 19% of spending, including Police, Fire, Dispatch, the Building Commissioner and the Parking Division.

The Department of Public Works accounted for 8% of the General Fund budget.

Also accounting for 8% of the budget is the category of General Government, which includes the Mayor's Office, City Council, Auditor, Assessors, Treasurer, Collector of Taxes and Parking Clerk, Human Resources, Management Information Services, City Clerk and Registrar of Voters, License Commission, Office of Planning and Development, Central Services, and the contract for Legal Services.

3% of the General Fund went to Culture and Recreation, which includes the Arts Council, Recreation Department, both Forbes and Lilly Libraries, and the city's contribution to First Night.

Finally, 1% of the General Fund is spent on Human Services, including the Health Department, Council on Aging and Senior Center, and Veterans' Services.