Mayor Palmieri Holds Public Budget Meeting

4 years ago the City of Utica employed 630 people...Today that number is down to 510...And the mayor's 2013-2014 budget proposal will cut ten of those positions. No cuts will come to public safety, a point the Mayor says he proud of.

                Palmieri says, "I think we put together a structurally a very sound budget together at the least cost to the public and still providing the best services that are out there for public safety, keeping our streets clean and safe."

            Last year city residents saw taxes go up 9.9%. This year Mayor Palmieri is proposing nearly a third of that number and some residents say they're ok with that. Maureen Williams of Utica says, "Having lived here almost 70 years now, I know the city has undergone rapid changes in my life time, so whatever he can do I give him a lot of credit."

            Gene Quadraro of Utica added, "It was a pleasant surprise, you know all along you're hearing double digit increases and 3.75 sounds encouraging. Again hopefully the common council can take a look at it and see what they can do for further reductions or increase the revenue. But it's better than where I thought we would be at this point."

                The mayor says this year's budget is all about economic development and he has high hopes for the economic future of Utica. "I have a number of initiative that I would hope within the next month or 2 months will be popping that will show that the City of Utica is back."