Council tables local law to suspend 2025 cost-of-living raises; key budget-related measures advanced

The Utica Common Council on a regularly scheduled meeting introduced Local Law No. 2 of 2025 — a local law that would partially suspend the cost-of-living salary increases in Utica City Charter section 2.025 for the 2025–26 fiscal year — and moved the measure to the table pending further action at a special meeting.

The local law text presented would reduce the charter-mandated 3% cost-of-living adjustment for the mayor, controller, treasurer, president of the common council and council members to 0% for the fiscal year. Council members discussed timing and the need for a public hearing; the motion to lay the local law on the table was made and seconded during the meeting.

Why this matters: Council members and speakers repeatedly tied the local law and other budget amendments to the city’s attempt to reduce the tax levy increase for the coming year. Several council…