The Schenectady City Council finance committee voted in committee June 2 to advance a resolution to run an annual exterior-permit application fee-waiver program from June 16 through Sept. 14, while retaining the city code requirement that permits remain valid for 12 months.

Finance Committee chair Mister Gutierrez presented the item, noting the program has run since February 2018 to incentivize exterior property improvements. He said council staff raised the application fee this budget cycle from $56 to $75 but recommended a temporary fee waiver for the program period.

Why it matters: Council members debated the program’s fiscal impact and eligibility rules amid overall budget pressures. Staff reported that in 2024 the city “gave back” $13,410 under the program and earlier years were higher; one presenter said annual take-up has been “upward of $20,000 plus each year,” figures the committee said should be included in future budgeting.

Committee discussion produced several clarified program parameters: limit eligibility to residential property up to three units (the committee directed staff to change references that previously read to four units), keep the permit validity at 12 months because the city code specifies that term, and retain the waiver only for the application fee rather than other permit fees. Staff noted that if permit work is not completed within 12 months the permit must be renewed and full fees applied.

A council member asked whether the program’s annual nature risks becoming an expectation rather than an accommodation; others suggested using a rolling average to estimate budgetary impact and budgeting an estimated amount in the fiscal process. Mister Gutierrez said staff and the mayor’s office will propose a line-item estimate for upcoming budget discussions.

The committee moved the item forward by motion and second; the committee vote in favor cleared the way to place a resolution on the council agenda. The committee did not amend city code; staff noted that shortening the 12-month permit window would require an ordinance change and a public hearing.

Next steps: Staff will return a resolution with the adjusted eligibility (up to three-unit residential properties), program dates, and recommended budget estimate for council consideration. Council members asked staff to include program metrics and advertising plans so the council can evaluate continuing the program in future budgets.