New York State's small- and medium-sized cities are facing a number of challenges within their communities. Challenges include declining and aging populations with increased concentrations of poverty; NYS Real Property Law allowing for generous property tax exemptions to non-profits and development projects through IDAs; unfunded and underfunded New York State mandates; the NY tax cap; sales tax distribution formulas; de-industrialization; aging housing stock; the Taylor Law and the Tri-borough amendment; decrease in state aid to municipalities and reductions in US CDBG; and an antiquated NY structure of local government.
At the same time, there are unique opportunities for NYS small- and medium-sized cities including redevelopment of older buildings and brownfield areas; historic tax credits; regionalization; annexation; tourism; restructuring; movements back to the cities; and developing other revenue sources. This panel, composed of practitioners and Rockefeller Institute of Government fellows, will discuss ongoing challenges and opportunities faced by small- and medium-sized cities in New York State, and share experiences from their municipalities.
Chairs: Laurie Buonanno and Greg Rabb
Moderator: Greg Rabb (Jamestown Community College, SUNY/City of Jamestown/Rockefeller Institute of Government)
Panelists
Dan Morello, Controller, City of Niagara Falls
Lisa Parshall, Daemen College, Nelson Rockefeller Institute of Government
Willie Rosas, Mayor, City of Dunkirk
Samuel Teresi, Mayor, City of Jamestown
