Mayor Richards Hosting Public Meetings On City Budget
By: WROC-TV
Updated: March 22, 2013
Rochester Mayor Tom Richards says the proposed state budget is not helping the city deal with a $28 million budget gap.
Last year the state provided funding to help take the budget out of the red, but this year it does not look like that money will be available. Residents weighed in on possible solutions at last night's "Voice of the Citizen" meeting. Although the state is not increasing aid to the city, Mayor Richards says the proposed pension smoothing plan could help lift some of the burden.
"It helps us make the payment over time and if that works, if that turns out to be a good solution that will help because it will lower the cost this year," Richards said.
Aside from increasing aid, Mayor Richards says the state could help by reducing the mandated payment the city makes to the Rochester City School District. That payment amounts to about two-thirds of the city's total tax levy.
Last year the state provided funding to help take the budget out of the red, but this year it does not look like that money will be available. Residents weighed in on possible solutions at last night's "Voice of the Citizen" meeting. Although the state is not increasing aid to the city, Mayor Richards says the proposed pension smoothing plan could help lift some of the burden.
"It helps us make the payment over time and if that works, if that turns out to be a good solution that will help because it will lower the cost this year," Richards said.
Aside from increasing aid, Mayor Richards says the state could help by reducing the mandated payment the city makes to the Rochester City School District. That payment amounts to about two-thirds of the city's total tax levy.
