Mayor Tobin Announces Tentative 2022 City of Cortland Budget

(Photo Source: Kevin L. Smith/Cortland Voice).

Cortland mayor Brian Tobin announced his 10th and final tentative city budget for 2022 at Tuesday’s Common Council meeting.

According to a breakdown of the tentative budget, The total general fund projection for 2022 is at $22,300,209. Projected expenditures for city departments is at $12,854,145.

The estimated projected property tax levy is at $9,297,300. The project number is more than 1% of the tax levy that was adopted for the 2021 budget ($9,115,000).

Tobin noted that the drafted 2022 budget has been kept under a 2% tax cap. During his tenure as mayor, Tobin added that the city has averaged a 1.38% annual tax increase.

“We’ve been successful at keeping this low,” he said.

A full breakdown of Tobin’s tentative 2022 budget can be seen here. Tobin also provided a one-age narrative of the proposed budget for next year (The narrative is located on page 11 of the supporting documents for Tuesday’s meeting).

Tobin noted the proposed breakdown of the city’s American Rescue Plan funds will help offset costs from city departments for the 2022 budget.

“We’re committed to providing a high level of service, while also being cost-effective,” he added.

Two city budget workshops are scheduled for Tuesday, Oct. 26 and Wednesday, Nov. 3, with each starting at 6:30 p.m. via Zoom. The public is invited to attend the workshops, Tobin said.

Tobin and the council members also scheduled public hearings in regards to the budget for every Common Council meeting scheduled before Dec. 15. Tobin added that the budget must be adopted “no later than Dec. 31.”

Here is a video of last night's final 2022 city tentative budget announcement from Mayor Tobin (start video at 2:07:34):