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The budget includes a 2.64% property tax levy increase, from $10.98 to $11.27 per $1,000 of taxable value, and a 3% sewer rate increase.Ìý

The city received a boost from the state, with more than $578,000 in additional aid and $200,000 for the operation of the New York State Equal Rights Heritage Center.Ìý

Auburn's budget process began in January with the council setting the preparation calendar for the annual spending plan. In March and April, department heads outlined their requests in a series of presentations to the council.

Auburn Mayor Jimmy Giannettino praised City Manager Jeff Dygert for presenting "a fair budget that continues to provide the basic services the public relies on." He also thanked department heads for the detailed presentations, which included information about day-to-day operations.Ìý

Prior to the budget vote, the council amended the 2024-25 spending plan to use $250,000 from its general fund. This will cover lost revenue after Lemondes decided he would not introduce a bill allowing the city to charge an occupancy tax on hotel stays and short-term rentals.Ìý

The council discussed the amendment and Lemondes' opposition to the hotel tax. City Councilor Terry Cuddy said it's "unfortunate that (Lemondes) did not see the benefit for the city of Auburn."

Lemondes sponsored the bills, which were signed into law, authorizing the town and village of Skaneateles and the village of Weedsport to institute occupancy taxes.Ìý

"I don't understand why Auburn is different than Skaneateles or Weedsport," Cuddy said.Ìý

Other members of the council expressed their disappointment, with Councilor Ginny Kent calling Lemondes' decision "a slap in the face." 

Giannettino criticized the lack of communication between Lemondes and the city about the hotel tax situation. Lemondes did not inform Giannettino of his decision not to sponsor the occupancy tax legislation. Giannettino learned about it from Ë®¹ûÅÉAV.Ìý

"He may not like me. He may not like how I represent the city," Giannettino said. "He owes this office an explanation." 

In other news

• Dygert said the city has offered assistance to the county after it was announced the Cayuga County Office Building will be closed for the summer.Ìý

The county opted to close the facility while the roof is being repaired. The decision follows the discovery of a granular material in a fifth-floor window sill. Testing found the substance is vermiculite, which may contain asbestos.Ìý

• The council approved a resolution allowing the city to apply for a $5 million state grant to help fund a water infrastructure project. The grant would support a $12.4 million project to install a new 36-inch water main from the city's upper pump station to the water filtration plant.Ìý

The existing water main has been in place since 1915.Ìý