Auburn council adopts library levy advance, county tax rate, budget transfers and approves property assessment settlement

The Auburn City Council on Jan. 16 voted unanimously to advance half of the Seymour Public Library District levy, adopt the city’s share of the county tax rate and community college charge for 2025, authorize assorted operating budget transfers for fiscal year 2024–25, and approve a settlement in a property tax assessment case involving 120 Genesee Street.

The council approved a library tax levy of $587,857.90 for 2025 and authorized an advance payment of $293,928.95 to be paid in February 2025 to reduce the later August payment. The resolution says the Seymour Public Library District’s budget share is to be raised by a local assessment on city property tax bills.

In a separate vote the council adopted the Cayuga County tax rate and the city’s proportionate share of community college charges for 2025. The council packet states the county notified the city that the county tax to be raised is $45,421,756 and that Auburn’s share of county taxes is $8,686,827.61 (approximately 19.12% of the county levy). The package lists a city share for community college charges of $254,439.72 and a combined county tax rate figure included in the resolution text.

The council also approved a set of operating and nonoperating budget transfers for fiscal year 2024–25 as described in the staff attachment, including additional training funds for the fire department to cover expanded CPR and related community training that will be reimbursed to the city.

Finally the council authorized settlement of the tax assessment proceedings brought by 120 Genesee Street LLC challenging valuations for tax years 2019–2024. City attorneys said the settlement is intended to avoid further litigation expenses, incorporates an agreed valuation adjustment, contemplates refunds specified in the stipulation, and preserves the right of the assessor to revalue the property after capital improvements and at the next scheduled revaluation (the staff remarks place that revaluation process starting in 2027).

Votes at a glance: - Approval of meeting minutes (Jan. 9, 2025): Sponsor — Councilor Kent; Second — Councilor Overstreet Wilson. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilor Kent, Councilor Overstreet Wilson, Councilor Calarco and the Mayor. Outcome: approved.

- Financial Resolution No. 6 (2025) — Establishing 2025–26 Seymour Library tax levy and authorizing a February advance of $293,928.95: Sponsor — Councilor Clark; Second — Councilor Overstreet Wilson. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilor Kent, Councilor Overstreet Wilson, Councilor Clarko and the Mayor. Outcome: approved.

- Financial Resolution No. 7 (2025) — Adopting 2025 Cayuga County tax rate and the city’s share of Cayuga Community College charges: Sponsor — Councilor Overstreet Wilson; Second — Councilor Clarko. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilor Kent, Councilor Overstreet Wilson, Councilor Clarko and the Mayor. Outcome: approved.

- Financial Resolution No. 8 (2025) — Authorizing various operating budget transfers for fiscal year 2024–25 (attachment A): Sponsor — Councilor Kent; Second — Councilor Clarko. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilor Kent, Councilor (Rosemary/Elizabeth) Wilson, Councilor Pularco and the Mayor. Outcome: approved.

- Council Resolution No. 9 (2025) — Authorizing settlement of real property tax assessment proceedings with 120 Genesee Street LLC (parcel at 120 Genesee St.): Sponsor — Councilor Wilson. Roll call recorded affirmative votes by Councilor Kent, Councilor Overstreet Wilson, Councilor Bularco and the Mayor. Outcome: approved. The resolution authorizes the corporation counsel to execute the stipulated settlement and judicial order as outlined in the meeting materials.

The council also voted to enter executive session to discuss real property sales and confidential items; the motion to recess for executive session passed by roll call.