[{"_1":2,"_99":-5,"_100":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6043443,"mediaKeyId","3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd","parentId",3646121,"title","Auburn officials say $2 million budget gap remains; propose tax increase, retirement incentive","audioSeconds",1621,"startMs",3234000,"endMs",4855000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd&start=3234&end=4855","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd/thumbnail_3234000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6043443/Auburn/Cayuga-County/New-York/Auburn-officials-say-2-million-budget-gap-remains-propose-tax-increase-retirement-incentive","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6043443-9d08d5717881f33c58133195b8a5794b/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213548&Signature=kZbfpHN5-qpybM30UcEm1KECx4uNaq8IClLLtUDGjknzp-pojEJFgn~43nwOMZ947UXl0i6u~mANGl8f11~LCCWucJZJaaDDYjp7bXdomdiaJJ-vPvNIOWwwudwe3sP3WFMmLqL51iKVt2b6-xapm5~NdLgzBq3bIfOTR126fSq7qML4K76nwLbClWYWc3qoA1OyUKIjoynux8K4AQAUpLAPxcnu3Z-L-QneA50htNkLjjiP4~OK692inxKhKPpyXNCYClQQN1-CsaSABF5HwgG3YdS98eFJhlsGC2hqv0skl7l5QOWFWVfNJ2YJhD9gjPFr7Mfx7i6AKMBIas~ZwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Auburn, NY","date","2025-04-24T00:00:00Z","article","City Manager Jeff Dyger told the Auburn City Council on April 24 that the recommended 2025–26 budget still faces a $2,000,008.73 shortfall after departments cut spending, revenues were adjusted and options for debt restructuring were applied.

The shortfall follows an initial gap of about $8.6 million identified early in the budget process, Dyger said, and officials have narrowed it with a combination of cuts, revised revenue estimates and potential debt restructuring. “By doing that, we've gotten the shortfall down to $2,000,008.73,” Dyger said.

The gap matters because it affects core services and leaves the council with limited choices: further cuts to operations, restructuring debt for near-term savings, a modest property tax increase that would exceed the state cap if used, or additional one-time measures such as the newly adopted retirement incentive. Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson said the city must weigh service impacts before turning to personnel or other cuts. “We're providing essential services that everybody relies on,” Leeson said.

Key measures discussed

- Retirement incentive: The council adopted a resolution creating two time-limited incentive options for eligible employees (details in a separate council action). Dyger said the administration’s planning estimate for potential savings from retirements tied to the incentive was about $300,000 but that actual savings will depend on participation and which positions retire. The first option requires notice by May 17 with last day of service by June 30; the second option requires notice by July 18 with last day on or before Aug. 31.

- Debt restructuring: Dyger identified roughly $381,000 in potential savings from converting short-term debt to longer-term obligations. He said additional restructuring could reduce the gap further but would require council approval of financing changes.

- Tax and rate changes: The proposed budget includes a 2% property tax increase and 2% rate increases for water and sewer that follow recent rate-study recommendations. Dyger said the tax increase and rate adjustments are intended to stabilize funds while limiting the use of fund balance.

- Solid waste and utility funds: Leeson said the solid waste fund required a subsidy from the general fund this year of about $325,000; the recommended trash fee increase would allow repayment of roughly $80,000 of that subsidy. The Power Utility Fund currently owes the general fund about $2.6 million, Leeson said; the city plans to propose a repayment schedule within six months.

Council response and next steps

Council members praised department-level reductions but pressed for additional detail before approving the budget. Councilor Cuddy and Councilor Kent commended department heads for cuts; Councilor Kent asked for line-item breakdowns, a list of current vacancies and a list of open purchase orders and encumbrances to guide further decisions. Dyger and Leeson said they will provide those details and continued to urge caution about cutting frontline services.

The council and administration also discussed health insurance costs and the city’s consortium plan; Leeson and Dyger said the issue will require further study and possibly an RFP to compare alternatives and long-term costs.

The council set a May 17 deadline for employee notices under the retirement incentive; final budget votes will await further detail on participation, any state budget allocations and additional council direction.

Ending

Officials said they will return with the requested line-item data, vacancy and encumbrance lists and the results of any debt-restructuring options as the council works toward a balanced 2025–26 budget.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Auburn City Council Meeting April 24, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","City Manager Jeff Dyger told the Auburn City Council on April 24 that the recommended 2025–26 budget still faces a $2,000,008.73 shortfall after departments cut spending, revenues were adjusted and options for debt restructuring were applied.","taxTitle","Auburn, Cayuga County, New York","taxId",75878,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6043433,"Corporation counsel reports Shines Theatre title transfer, Earthjustice water work and zombie-property efforts",612,2701000,3313000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd&start=2701&end=3313","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd/thumbnail_2701000.jpg","/articles/6043433/Auburn/Cayuga-County/New-York/Corporation-counsel-reports-Shines-Theatre-title-transfer-Earthjustice-water-work-and-zombie-property-efforts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6043433-6f7fc5df44ba274656d254e91cd31d6f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213548&Signature=KjwehXJXF~AeLnHwVTpDVVM-r-wBjBByzuvTY8CmZGNLY~sSm0MeWKQnopRjL8fWZ5cHyAvcjfYwUnU071U-29t~yMIkY3nh7CFG7tSQcJ5vIanGWHFK78Wq2tZZPqtTQ-1gEgNk4xyzqeADZh06K0xHFjVMz-yWy1TkeBalUxla1Di1WBfXfFwiRQeiKNCmXqAOHJkyv5OQ66CWt8WQxNKNbxVCNdO04eZSdljVsmnmW~zF7ElDBhdZDD3iB80o486Va8LOI50lFQ89zDDCz-t1boz0vNyvMrlgll2WfBzUhTjREde8AnR~KRtsGm04JqOBAx3e2RI95~ahWOAJhg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nathan Garland, corporation counsel for the City of Auburn, told the council on April 24 that the city’s legal office has several active priorities including a pending judicial transfer of the Shines Theatre, collaboration with Earthjustice on a water-related matter, representation of the planning board in a civil action over a proposed homeless shelter, and a revived focus on enforcement against vacant and neglected properties.

“...there is a, order on Judge Leon's desk, waiting for his signature to transfer title to this,” Garland said of the Shines Theatre, describing a court filing that would move title to the city.

Garland said the city has partnered with outside experts for several cases. He described Earthjustice’s involvement in a clean-water matter and said staff have been exchanging information with the nonprofit’s attorneys; a councilor noted those services are being provided without charge. Garland also said assistant counsel Tim had represented the planning board in litigation related to a proposed shelter on Grama Avenue.

On code enforcement and vacant properties Garland said the office is reviving its prior “zombie property” practice — litigation to hold banks and mortgage holders accountable for upkeep of vacant, blighted properties. He noted the city’s prior efforts had brought in more than $40,000 and said the office expects an uptick in foreclosure-related litigation under current economic conditions.

The legal office’s 2025 budget request included increased consulting fees to allow the city to retain outside experts when specialized legal knowledge is needed, Garland said. He also explained that restoring the vacant-property practice is intended both to protect neighborhoods and to recover fees to offset legal costs.

Ending

Garland closed by saying the office will remain ready to support the council and city staff on labor matters, zoning litigation and contract reviews and will bring specific items back to the council as needed.","Corporation Counsel Nathan Garland told the Auburn City Council on April 24 that an order transferring title of the Shines Theatre is awaiting a judge's signature, that the city continues to work with Earthjustice on water-related litigation, and that the office plans to resume work on vacant-property enforcement that generated over $40,000 last",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6043438,"Votes at a glance: Council adopts retirement incentive; minutes approved; McDonald’s assessment settlement presented",367,976000,1343000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd&start=976&end=1343","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3646121-bc796311a1201aec2affe4197c0381fd/thumbnail_976000.jpg","/articles/6043438/Auburn/Cayuga-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Council-adopts-retirement-incentive-minutes-approved-McDonalds-assessment-settlement-presented","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6043438-79380c5578a2d90d97b0f0b248d56d96/orig.mp4?Expires=1771213548&Signature=SjkgR3XsrBuAHaJEdHzRBJIYgzRR605bJ26toTmdVd8sMcwBDZmw-xHyeouzzruunRZFc~C4U4DCwJ2ZkNKWFvFmLQanAm95x9ddPwM1NYmLtrAUnkmnFk48uRjsBi80gZlU1brKwlqbaiBztRQhekvewuZCu71uXQnk~MVz12UmesPuk8UP4jl3mQL4oSwuRLqjTYmaFt5lzTbyzQGtbV3KSwSyRy7Mpz~1JnZlHc-vSx53nmaFNvGGGDg9QeY3wGh7E0B7Gl6-KeLEGgBsIHG-84gCiDzoBsTKZvErlkEIGX8gp~rWCUfX6rwIoJmHQKke8llsG0MmnslkwPw8rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Auburn City Council took several formal actions on April 24, including approving meeting minutes and adopting a one-time retirement incentive for eligible city employees.

Minutes approval

Council approved the April 10, 2025 meeting minutes on a roll call vote. Councilor Clerco moved and Councilor Kent seconded the motion; the roll call recorded affirmative votes.

Retirement incentive adopted

Council adopted Council Resolution 46 of 2025, establishing two time-limited options for a one-time retirement incentive for eligible employees. The first option provides a lump-sum payment of $12,500 or a $17,500 credit toward the retiree portion of health insurance for employees who notify the city by May 17 and retire by June 30; the second option offers a $10,000 lump sum or $12,500 credit for employees who notify by July 18 and retire by Aug. 31. City Manager Jeff Dyger said the measure is intended to create personnel-related savings by enabling turnover at lower replacement costs.

The roll-call vote on Resolution 46 recorded the following votes: Councilor Kent — yes; Councilor Overstreet Wilson — yes; Councilor Cuddy — yes; Councilor Clerco — aye; Mayor James Genentino — aye. The clerk announced the motion carried.

McDonald’s assessment settlement

Council introduced Council Resolution 45 of 2025, authorizing a settlement of property tax assessment proceedings brought by McDonald's Real Estate Company related to parcels on Grand (Grama) Avenue and Genesee Street. Corporation Counsel Nathan Garland described the settlement as reasonable and noted the assessor’s office reviewed the terms. The transcript records the sponsor and discussion of the settlement but does not record a complete roll-call vote or final outcome; the vote outcome is therefore not specified in the council transcript.","At its April 24 meeting the Auburn City Council approved meeting minutes and adopted a one-time retirement incentive program. The council considered a proposed settlement in a tax-assessment lawsuit filed by McDonald’s Real Estate Company; the transcript does not record the final vote on that settlement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Auburn officials say $2 million budget gap remains; propose tax increase, retirement incentive

Corporation counsel reports Shines Theatre title transfer, Earthjustice water work and zombie-property efforts

Votes at a glance: Council adopts retirement incentive; minutes approved; McDonald’s assessment settlement presented