(Photo via Kevin L. Smith of The Cortland Voice).
The Cortland Common Council unanimously voted to approve the city’s $34.4 million budget for 2024 at its meeting on Tuesday.
The budget includes increased spending by 14% and a property tax rate at 4.2%. Details on the city’s budget can be found here in the supporting documents for Tuesday’s meeting, and here on the city’s website.
Earlier this year, city officials proposed an austerity-based budget for 2024. Mayor Scott Steve said in October that the goal for the 2024 budget was to “reduce as much as we can” and go to “bare minimums.” Steve also announced a hiring freeze in October that will go into next year.
The city’s tax rate increase required approval to override New York state’s 2% tax cap. The city council approved overriding the tax levy limit at its Dec. 5 meeting. The lifted tax rate comes with an increase of $64.20 annually for the average home assessed at $90,000, according to city officials.
