Utica Common Council Votes Against Overriding 2% Property Tax Cap

The City of Utica might see a more reasonable property tax for the 2015 fiscal year.

Members of the Utica Common Council voted unanimously last night against overriding the 2% tax cap law.

In years past, the Council has used the override option to avoid penalties that come with a property tax above 2%.

That means that Mayor Rob Palmieri and his staff will not have the option to present a budget with property taxes higher than 2%.

A recent audit that was completed for the city shows Utica has a budget surplus of $1.5 million, so many council members feel achieving a lower tax rate is a realistic goal.

Councilman Joe Marino says this is the break that city taxpayers deserve.

He said this is a position that the Common Council has been working toward.

Now the ball is in Mayor Palmieri and his department heads' court to present a budget in March that falls under the 2% mark.