On Wednesday, Oct. 4, the mayor of Ithaca, Laura Lewis, presented a proposed 2024 budget plan to the common council. The proposed budget will be allocated to water, sewer, sidewalks, and other general operating costs totaling $101,058,360. According to the city of Ithaca, the general operating costs will total $80,379,063 and other capital projects totaling $5,006,000. According to the city, Lewis wanted to lower the debt load, keep tax rates to a minimum, integrate new labor contract wages, and maintain a strong fund balance. The city’s largest expense is staff benefits totalling 66 percent of the total operating funds. No layoffs are included in the budget and plans to create new or restore 22 new job positions. The city is also looking to switch its form of government on Jan. 1, 2024. There will also be the creation of two new departments in the city of Ithaca’s government the Department for Information and Technology and the Department for Communications and Community Engagement.
This week I will be covering this announcement and following up with the Common Council of Ithaca as well as the mayor’s office. For more information look to the city of Ithaca’s website and follow me on X for more updates @MichaeLindgren.
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