The Auburn City Council on Thursday concluded what Mayor Jimmy Giannettino called a "difficult budget process" by passing a $49.8 million spending plan that includes a property tax hike and increased fees.
The 2025-26 budget increases year-over-year spending by $2.3 million. The property tax rate will rise from $11.27 to $11.74 per $1,000 of taxable value. The 3.84% increase is within the city's property tax cap.
Among the city's revenue-raising moves are an increased refuse collection fee, from $276 to $400 per unit, and ending free two-hour parking on the upper levels of the Lincoln Street garage. Sewer rates will go up by 2% in the next fiscal year.
When the budget process began, the city had an $8.6 million shortfall. The preliminary budget, with expenditures based on departmental requests, totaled over $53 million. More than $3.2 million was slashed from that early proposal to help close the gap.
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The remaining deficit will be closed by the additional revenue (more than $4.3 million) and $1 million from the city's dwindling fund balance.
City councilors vote on the City of Auburn 2025 budget at Memorial City Hall June 12.
The City Council voted 5 to 0 to adopt the 2025-26 budget. The city's fiscal year runs from July 1 through June 30.
Giannettino recognized city staff for their work during the budget process.
"There is 100% transparency around this process," he said. "We sit here for weeks on end and we talk about how we're spending every dollar."
To highlight how the city spends its tax revenue, Giannettino mentioned the response to heavy rainfall earlier this week. He also discussed the funding that supports other municipal services, from fire and police to trash pickup.
"We don't make money off this," he said. "We break even."
Giannettino reiterated his stance that the state must increase aid to municipalities. Auburn will receive more than $4.9 million in base aid, plus an additional $578,000 in temporary assistance. But its base aid level has not increased in more than 15 years.
However, the state budget provided an additional revenue stream for Auburn. The city received authorization to institute a 5% hotel tax. The City Council heard a first reading of the proposed local law at the meeting Thursday. The local law is on track for approval later this month.
If adopted, the tax will take effect on July 1.
Government reporter Robert Harding can be reached at (315) 664-4631 or robert.harding@lee.net. Follow him on X @RobertHarding.
Robert Harding
Online producer/politics reporter
