Ithaca has kicked off 2026 budget planning with a proposed 6.5% property tax levy increase, according to Tompkins Weekly. City officials say the budget aims to maintain core services while managing inflation and rising labor costs.
City Manager Deb Mohlenhoff emphasized the need to “stabilize” operations without cutting departments, despite cost pressures from health benefits and tariffs. Income disparities and housing challenges remain central, as more than 2,300 calls to the city’s 211 line last year related to shelter needs.
Using relatable “personas,” officials illustrated how the budget impacts various taxpayers. A median homeowner, for example, would see a $141 property tax increase. Leaders hope these tools clarify the city’s push to share tax burdens more equitably across residents and commercial properties.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].