The committee, formed by County Executive Christopher Moss in February of 2019 to “identify ways the county and city can work together to study potential cost-saving measures that could improve the city’s financial viability to the benefit,” has returned a report identifying ways that services might be shared and sales taxes distributed to try and pull Elmira out of a long-running fiscal crisis.
“It has been inspiring to be involved with a committee that unanimously agrees the improvement of the financial condition of Elmira, our county seat and urban center, must be part of the path forward for our community,” said Elmira Mayor Dan Mandell in a statement announcing the report. “The committee recognizes the challenges Elmira faces, including a tax roll where 38% of the city’s assets valuation is tax exempt.”
The committee made a number of recommendations to help stabilize Elmira’s struggling economy.
- Enter into a lease agreement that allows the county full operational authority of the Mark Twain Golf Course while providing a negotiated annual revenue to the city.
- A new sales tax distribution formula based on community need rather than population.
- The ownership of some bridges should be transferred from the city to the county. This move would not have immediate economic impacts on either side, but should make scheduled maintenance easier in the future.
- The city should reduce short-term borrowing of the next few years and long-term borrowing should not exceed what was paid down the previous year and any excess borrowing would need a resolution from city council.
- Monthly meetings between Elmira College and the city to explore was to improve the relationship, including the possible implementation of a tuition-based public safety fee.
- Explore the benefits of raising the Room Tax rate for hotel rooms by 1% and come to an agreement between the county and AirBnB.
- The county treasurer and city chamberlain should meet to discuss possible sharing or consolidation of financial services.
- Public safety collaboration between the city and all other municipalities. This represents the largest area of potential savings. (Police, generally, are the most costly public employees.)
“I have read the report and met with the committee,” said Moss in a press release. “I plan to spend time with Elmira City Manager Mike Collins over the next several weeks to further explore the committee’s recommendations. I am proud of the excellent working relationship between the city and the county, and will do everything I can to continue what we have started.”
The committee will present its finding to the public and members of the Elmira City Council, Chemung County Legisalture, and other municipal leader on Tuesday Aug. 6 at 7 p.m. at Clemens Center’s Mandeville Hall.
“We strongly encourage everyone who is interested in exploring these matters to attend,” said County Legislator John Burin, who chaired the joint committee, “This is truly an extraordinary time, with new construction going on and a medical school set to open its doors next year. It would be great to have the entire community get involved with the rebirth of Elmira.”
The entire report is below:
final_report_CityCounty_Committee