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Proposed Utica budget calls for 3.75 percent tax hike, 10 vacant positions to be eliminated

By HILARY LANE

Story Created: Feb 19, 2013 at 1:45 PM EDT

Story Updated: Feb 20, 2013 at 12:34 PM EDT

UTICA, N.Y. (WKTV) - Utica City Mayor Robert Palmieri unveiled his 2013-2014 budget to the Board of Estimate and Apportionment on Tuesday.

The budget was passed by the group and is now in the hands of the Utica Common Council.

Mayor Palmieri said times are tough and the $66 million budget is a culmination of twelve months of planning and meetings and many tough decisions.

The proposal calls for a 3.75 percent property tax hike.

For the average home assessed at $50,000 a year, that is a $3.50 increase a month.

"We looked at bringing our taxes as low as possible to provide the services and still maintain services at this point," said Palmieri. "We feel structurally at this point 3.75 percent we are able to work in the budget."

The budget also contains no new hiring and no increases in discretionary spending.

Since the last budget cycle, ten vacated positions will be eliminated.

Palmieri said the positions are within the DPW, Codes, and Park departments.

On Tuesday night, the Common Council will be voting to override the 2 percent property tax hike.

The final budget must be passed by March 31.

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