Geneva City Council weighed a proposal Wednesday to give itself more direct financial oversight and create four advisory committees, while approving a property tax-cap override and a lower speed limit on South Main Street.
The meeting also advanced proposed water and sewer rates to public hearings and ratified a labor agreement for public works foremen. Mayor Jim Cecere emphasized that his government modernization proposal remained open for discussion, with no vote taken that night.
Financial oversight proposal draws questions
Cecere’s proposal would have the city comptroller report directly to council instead of through the city manager. It also would establish advisory committees for finance, planning and economic development, housing, and boards and commissions.
Each committee would include two council members and three public members. The committees could review issues and recommend actions, but could not direct employees, approve spending or contracts, or negotiate for the city.
A governance manual would document responsibilities, reporting standards and procedures so those practices could continue across administrations.
Cecere said the changes would strengthen accountability while preserving the city manager’s responsibility for daily operations and oversight of the budget process.
“What’s proposed today does not mean it will be adopted,” Cecere said.
Councilor Jamie Kaim Jr. supported having the comptroller report to council, saying it would improve oversight and accountability.
Councilor Ben Gummoe questioned whether the change could separate responsibility from authority, leaving the manager accountable for financial matters without sufficient control. He asked how disagreements between the manager and comptroller would be resolved and whether independent auditing could accomplish the same goal without restructuring reporting relationships.
Cecere said unresolved disagreements could be brought to council and acknowledged that the proposal could be amended.
Councilor Christopher Lavin supported the effort, arguing that council needed stronger oversight of city finances. Councilor James Petropoulos also expressed support while emphasizing the need for a professional, cooperative relationship between council and administration.
Councilor Peter Gillotte questioned how the city would preserve improvements when elected officials changed.
During public comment, Washington Street resident Charles King challenged the creation of more committees, urging council to improve training, direction and accountability for existing boards and staff.
The proposed schedule calls for a first reading Nov. 4, a public hearing Nov. 17 and a final vote Dec. 2, with implementation in 2027 if approved.
Tax-cap override passes
Council approved the property tax-cap override 6-2, with Kaim and Lavin voting against it.
Comptroller Adam Blowers described the measure as protection against penalties if changes in the state’s calculation caused the city to exceed its allowable levy. He said payments in lieu of taxes, retirement costs and other factors could affect that calculation.
Cecere said the override provided flexibility and did not mean the city would necessarily exceed the cap.
Blowers said the budget proposal being discussed remained below the cap, although close to it. Gummoe confirmed that any change to the levy would still require council approval.
The override did not adopt the city’s final budget.
Council also held a hearing on a proposed room occupancy tax for short-term rentals. An Airbnb operator questioned the cumulative effect of taxes and fees on businesses and warned that higher costs could discourage visitors. No adoption vote on that proposal occurred during the recorded meeting.
Utility hearings and road safety
Council advanced proposed water and sewer rate changes and scheduled public hearings for Oct. 20 at 7 p.m., or as soon afterward as they could be held.
The proposals would establish consumption tiers, quarterly minimum charges and separate capital investment charges beginning Jan. 1, 2027.
For an inside-city customer with a five-eighths-inch meter, the proposed quarterly water minimum is $42, with a $3 capital charge. The proposed sewer minimum is $60.90, with a $12 capital charge. Both minimum schedules include a 6,000-gallon allowance.
Those figures remain proposals. Lavin sought confirmation that advancing the measures did not commit council to final rates.
Council also approved a 25 mph speed limit on South Main Street, Route 14, between Seneca Street and Kings Lane.
Councilor John Brennan asked about electronic speed-monitoring signs. Acting City Manager Taylor Youngs said those were not included in the immediate signage changes, but the city could obtain prices and return to council.
Youngs also said staff were addressing technical problems with pedestrian crossing lights after Lavin reported that one continued blinking overnight.
Labor agreement and public requests
Council unanimously ratified an agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association’s public works foremen’s unit.
The agreement includes salary increases of 3.75% effective Jan. 1, 2025, followed by 3.5% increases in 2026 and 2027, along with health insurance changes. Youngs said negotiations had included two rounds of mediation and that employees would receive retroactive payments.
Public comment also brought a proposal to repair City Hall’s clock through private fundraising.
Castle Street resident and business owner Cassie Snyder asked permission to obtain repair estimates and organize a crowdfunding campaign. Her idea included cleaning the building’s exterior and celebrating the restored clock with music and a projection light show. Council took no vote on the request.
Hobart and William Smith Colleges sophomore Nehemiah Wagner introduced Geneva First, a student-led civic education and mutual aid organization seeking partnerships and volunteer opportunities in the community.
Cecere also announced that traditional Halloween trick-or-treating in the city would take place Oct. 31 from 6 to 8 p.m.
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