SPRINGFIELD — The City Council agreed to set a tax rate that increases the bill on the average home by $244 this year and shifts the maximum burden allowed to commercial property.

Monday’s decision came after a 90-minute discussion that included topics such as boosting new growth, cutting the budget and other strategies to give future relief to taxpayers.

The conversations occasionally grew hostile, when Councilors Zaida Govan and Tracye Whitfield, who also serves as the body’s vice president, said they would not pass the rate if it raised tax bills for homeowners.

“To say that you won’t vote for any rate tonight unless the bills are going down is a dishonest political position to take,” Council President Michael Fenton said. “We have a responsibility to the taxpayers, to the public, to

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