Binghamton Budget Proposal Keeps Property Tax Rate Flat

Binghamton Mayor Richard David is proposing a City budget in 2021 that holds the line on property taxes in spite of the huge economic impact from the coronavirus pandemic. 

The Republican delivered his $97.7 spending plan that freezes hiring and non-essential travel and eliminates raises for City employees in an effort to curb costs while moving forward on road repair and other infrastructure projects. 

Mayor David says the biggest financial goal is still stabilizing property taxes. 

The Mayor is proposing a .012% percent decrease in residential and commercial property taxes, keeping the residential rate essentially flat at $21.92 per thousand of assessed value and the commercial rate at $40.75 per thousand of assessed value. 

David says he’s not counting on any financial help from the federal government as stimulus talks continued to be mired in political bickering in Washington. 

One hot-button issue that is continuing to be pushed by activist groups like Progressive Leaders of Tomorrow and Citizen Action of New York was the call for defunding the police and reforms in law enforcement. 

In his message, the Mayor said: “The City will advance its efforts to address Governor Cuomo’s executive order in developing a plan that reinvents and modernizes police strategies and programs based on community input.” No other details were given. 

The budget proposal can be viewed at www.cityofbinghamton.com.