South Utica Concerned Citizens Hold Budget Meeting

At a South Utica Concerned Citizens meeting, community members met with members of Mayor Palmieri's staff, department heads and the City of Utica Finance Committee.

The meeting is the third in a series designed to help Utica residents understand and vocalize concerns about the 8% tax increased in the City's proposed budget.

Rick Andrew is a South Utica resident who says overall he was pleased with the information presented and the answers he was given.

Many questions centered on how to bring in more revenue to the City to alleviate taxpayer's burdens.

The answer given was that a number of commercial properties are being marketed to increase the tax base, including commercial buildings and properties along with the Harbor Point project that will bring in revenue and attract more residents and potential Utica taxpayers when the Marcy Nanocenter begins operation.

A decision on the newest budget is expected in the next few weeks.