The Corning City Council recently unanimously adopted a $23.4 million spending plan that includes a 3.28 percent tax levy increase, above the state tax cap of 2.12 percent.
Under the 2025-26 spending plan, city taxes will rise from $10.43 to $10.77 per $1,000 of assessed value, said Corning City Manager Mark Ryckman. A home assessed for $120,000 will see a tax increase of about $40.80 per year, or $3.40 per month.
Corning City Mayor Bill Boland said the state has not increased the city’s Aid & Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) funding in many years.
“So, every year the city administration has to do more with less,” Boland said. “At some point, that’s not sustainable, and this year was just that, so a modest increase to the budget was made and I think people will generally support that.”
Ryckman agreed.
“Once again, New York state has not provided an increase in our AIM funding,” Ryckman said. “Our funding was reduced 7.5% approximately 15 years ago and never restored. We receive $1,499,556 in AIM funding annually.”
Ryckman said there is no increase in sewer fees for city residents in the new budget, but water rates will increase $2 per month for a typical residential customer. Water and sewer fees both increased in the 2024-25 spending plan, the first time since 2018.
“The 2025-26 spending plan also includes $2,419,328 for street paving.” Ryckman said. “This figure includes both state funding and $1,064,956 the City Council built into the base of the budget over several years.”
Ryckman said in addition, $40,000 is included in the budget for ongoing park maintenance, and $350,000 is allocated to replace the water disinfection system at the well located behind the Fire Department.
“The additional funding the City Council has built into the budget over the years has significantly helped to improve the conditions of our streets,” Ryckman said.
This article originally appeared on The Leader: New Corning City spending plan includes a slight hike in tax, water rates. What to know.
Reporting by Jeff Smith, Corning Leader / The Leader
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
