Mayor Galime’s Tireless Advocacy Secures $5.61 Million Funding Commitment from Governor Hochul, Advances 0% Tax Levy Increase Proposal

Mayor Galime today received a personal communication directly from Governor Hochul regarding a discretionary increase in funding of $5.61 million to assist Utica with our next budget year.  The message stated that the funding would be delivered in the form of temporary municipal assistance revenue sharing, likened to AIM funding – incredible news.

“Given the fiscal situation Utica and our peer municipalities have been dealing with, I literally have no words for how important this is.  I cannot thank Governor Hochul enough for recognizing the need for direct structural funding for a community like Utica to maintain our essential services that we depend on day in and day out,” stated Mayor Galime.

Throughout Mayor Galime’s entire term he has been on a multiple year advocacy push at every government level describing the need for an AIM funding adjustment.  This is a signal that this work is recognized and is paying off. 

While the Mayor is going to continue to work with his colleagues to maintain these funding sources, this year is in direct focus.  Mayor Galime stated that, “this funding should be used to provide the ability to keep our tax levy stable, requesting a possible 0% from the Common Council, a drastic reduction in our deficit spending, keeping services we provide steady, and an increase in infrastructure repairs.”  The Mayor continued to state that, “any windfall funding such as this absolutely needs to be utilized to provide relief to tax payers and stabilize the future strength of our city to support itself in the future.”