CORTLAND, NY (607NewsNow) — A budget has been introduced in Cortland.
Mayor Scott Steve is proposing a 4% increase in property taxes for 2026, which he says meets rising costs while maintaining services and staff levels. In a budget message released Wed., Oct. 15, Mayor Steve cited some key factors for the proposed increase:
- Retirement Cost Increases: The required payment to the New York State Local Government Retirement system (ERS and PFRS) is increasing by an estimated $353,398.37
- Workforce Expenditures: The budget includes the full costs of tentative collective bargaining agreements for Police, Fire, SEIU and Crossing Guards, which include wage increases necessary to keep pace with regional market rates.
- Revenue Limitations:
•Grant funding is projected to decrease from that received this year. The City was successful in several unique grant applications and one-time funding sources in 2025, including a $1 million CDBG grant to acquire a new fire department ladder truck.
•State aid is projected to be flat.
•Sales tax revenue is projected to increase slightly under the latest tax sharing agreement with the county. - Quality of life investments are prioritized and funded including:
•Police & Fire Department – Full Staffing Levels: For the first time ever, the Police Department and Fire Department are both staffed at full-force levels. The City is fortunate in the number and quality of officers and firefighters we have recruited, hired and trained. The full-force staffing levels are reflected in higher personnel expenditure lines.
•Increased Programming: While the overall budget restrains discretionary funding, there are areas the City is committing additional dollars, such as an increase to support a significant expansion in the Youth Bureau’s recreation and wellness programming. Funds, including a portion of monies collected from the occupancy tax, will support new programs including a summer camp, an inflatable aquatic obstacle course at Yaman Park, and more amenities and accessibility in City parks.
The mayor’s proposed budget gets presented to the Common Council on Tuesday, with public hearings set for November and a vote in December.
You can review the budget proposal here: 2026 Tentative City Budget 2025.10.15
