Geneva City Council redirected $65,000 toward senior recreation, downtown beautification, community events and online clerk services Monday, postponing a snow pusher purchase while retaining a 3% property tax levy increase in the 2027 general fund budget.
The spending package passed 6-2. Council later approved the amended general fund budget 7-1, with Councilor Christopher Lavin opposed after arguing that the city should hold the levy flat.
Separate water, sewer and workers’ compensation budgets each passed 8-0.
The votes followed departmental reviews that began with a proposed $33.97 million spending plan across the general, water and sewer funds. During the Oct. 5 public works workshop, officials warned that staffing reductions would mean fewer services, while council questioned equipment purchases and explored funding a citywide grants position.
Monday’s decisions changed several spending priorities without reducing the proposed levy increase. The 3% applies to the total property tax levy, rather than establishing an identical increase for every property owner’s bill.
Equipment delay funds four additions
The amendment sponsored by Councilors James Petropoulos and Jamie Kaim Jr. postpones a $65,000 snow pusher purchase and adds $11,000 for a city clerk website module, $12,000 for Fourth of July and other community activities, $20,000 for the YMCA’s Silver Sneakers program and $22,000 for Business Improvement District beautification and maintenance supplies.
Councilors Ben Gummoe and Grimaldi opposed the package.
Funding required an adjustment because the snow pusher was to be purchased with restricted equipment reserves. Comptroller Adam Blowers said the city would instead use $65,000 from that reserve toward a planned backhoe purchase, freeing other budget money for the additions.
City Clerk Nicole Tillotson said the website module would allow customers to request vital records, obtain or renew dog licenses and make associated payments online. Currently, people requesting records from outside Geneva may need to mail a check or money order and wait for processing.
The Silver Sneakers allocation would support YMCA access for seniors whose insurance does not cover the program. Supporters described it as an opportunity to restore assistance and evaluate participation.
The BID addition brings its city support line to $159,600. That remains below the approximately $188,600 request discussed during the Oct. 13 departmental reviews, when Executive Director Sydney Schumacher outlined staffing, equipment and economic development needs.
Some councilors remained concerned that the BID was taking on too much routine public works maintenance. Supporters emphasized that the additional money would support downtown beautification, including decorations and banners.
Staffing reductions fail to advance
Lavin withdrew an amendment to delay police hiring by six months after staff explained that three candidates had already accepted conditional offers and postponing academy attendance could increase training costs.
Acting City Manager Taylor Youngs said the Finger Lakes academy begins in January, while a later Monroe County academy would cost roughly twice as much. Delaying the fourth hire might save approximately $20,000 after accounting for additional academy expenses, she said.
Lavin said he was seeking temporary savings rather than eliminating positions, as part of an effort to reach a budget with no levy increase.
“We have the opportunity tonight to say we are not raising taxes next year on the levy, and we’re just walking away from it,” he said before the final vote.
Council also rejected Grimaldi’s proposal to eliminate a vacant half-time customer service position assigned to the clerk’s office. The motion failed 3-5, supported by Grimaldi, Kaim and Lavin.
Staff said the position supports both the clerk and finance offices, particularly during absences and busy periods. Tillotson said she and Blowers sometimes must cover the service counter themselves.
Mayor Jim Cecere argued that council should first see how the new software affects workloads before reducing staffing.
A separate amendment involving a grants coordinator was withdrawn. Lavin said council would wait until a permanent city manager is hired, leaving unresolved a proposal discussed repeatedly during this month’s workshops.
Council backs reserves, mayor seeks quarterly reviews
Council unanimously approved Cecere’s reserve amendment, which he described as prioritizing reserve targets before additional funding for future capital purchases.
He said general, water and sewer money would remain separate. Youngs cautioned that existing equipment reserve balances could not be transferred into unrestricted fund balance and would instead need to go into another eligible reserve.
Defending the general fund budget, Cecere said spending increased only about half a percent despite rising pension and other costs. He described maintaining services and strengthening reserves as reasons to support the levy increase.
He also acknowledged that Geneva’s recurring expenses exceed recurring revenue.
“We have a structural deficit we need to work through,” Cecere said.
The mayor said he intends to work with staff on a five-year plan to eliminate that imbalance and introduce quarterly budget reviews. Those reviews would allow council to assess spending and make adjustments throughout the year.
Utility negotiations and waterfront questions continue
The water and sewer budgets reflect anticipated city customer rates but do not assume new agreements with outside municipalities.
Youngs said outside-customer revenue was budgeted using existing contractual arrangements while negotiations continue. Lavin pressed for firmer deadlines and questioned extending service without resolving payment terms, but those concerns did not prevent either budget’s adoption.
After the budget votes, council questioned financing for the scaled-back waterfront pier and dock project.
Blowers said slightly more than $2 million associated with the abandoned full marina proposal was removed from the city’s short-term borrowing when financing was renewed in April. He clarified that the extra amount was not borrowed again at renewal and said no outstanding long-term bonds or short-term notes remain for that canceled project.
Funding remains for the smaller pier and dock work. Youngs said replacement docks would occupy their existing locations.
Grimaldi also requested prices for lakefront picnic tables and shelters. Council discussed possible future review of those improvements without approving a purchase.
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 news@fingerlakes1.com.
