BY JIMMY LAWTONNorth Country This Week

OGDENSBURG — Ogdensburg residents will get a chance to weigh in on the city’s proposed 2027 budget tonight, with a plan that would raise property taxes by less than originally proposed.

The hearing is set for 6 p.m. at city hall.

The preliminary budget approved by the City Council would increase the tax levy by $149,310 and raise the tax rate by about 20 cents. That’s less than City Manager Fonda Chronis’ original proposal, which called for a $209,310 increase in the tax levy and a roughly 35-cent hike in the tax rate.

Mayor Michael Tooley pushed for a $60,000 reduction in the proposed tax levy increase. He said the change would save the average homeowner about $16 a year.

The savings would come from using more of the city’s fund balance and cutting spending, including money set aside for traffic lights.

Under the revised proposal, the city’s tax rate would be $15.36 per $1,000 of assessed property value, down from the $15.52 proposed by Chronis. The current rate is $15.1672.

To make up for the $60,000 reduction in tax revenue, the city would use an additional $30,000 from its savings and cut spending by a net $30,000.

That includes reducing the traffic light budget from $45,000 to $4,000, adding $5,000 for materials and supplies and putting another $6,000 into the city’s contingency account.

Tooley said the tax savings would be small, but would help keep the cost of local government down. The change would also lower the city’s use of its available tax limit from 80.4% to 79.5%

Tooley also raised concerns about the cost of vacation overtime in the Fire Department.

The current budget includes $290,000 for vacation overtime. Chronis’ proposed 2027 budget does not include any money for that expense.

Tooley said the city is looking to limit the number of firefighters on vacation during each shift from two to one. City officials believe that change would help eliminate the overtime costs.

If the city continues paying at least $200,000 in vacation overtime next year, Tooley said, it could mean a large property tax increase or cuts to services in other departments.

The city could also face additional costs if a labor dispute is decided in favor of the firefighters. Tooley said the city might have to make retroactive overtime payments and put money back into the 2028 budget for vacation overtime.

He said Chronis remains willing to resume talks with the firefighters’ union to work out the issue

Tooley said he first proposed cutting the tax levy increase by $60,000 during an Oct. 14 budget workshop.

Chronis later worked with staff to find ways to make the reduction. Council members discussed the proposal again Oct. 21.

City Councilor Dan Skamperle said he supported the spending cuts but did not support using more of the city’s fund balance to lower taxes. He said the city needs to be careful about using its savings.

Deputy Mayor Jennifer Stevenson said she would normally oppose using fund balance but supported the proposal because the city had taken a conservative approach to some of its revenue estimates.

Stevenson also suggested cutting the City Manager’s $42,000 stipend for serving as city planner. That amendment failed.

Tooley said more changes could still be made before the budget is finalized. The city is holding a public hearing tonight, with the council able to continue making adjustments before the budget is expected to be adopted Nov. 23.

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