Utica City Council Candidates Sound Off: Question 1

With revenue from property taxes having declined during the last few years, do you have any ideas about how to generate additional revenue until the housing market recovers?

: I believe we need to actively work on bringing new businesses/housing into our community to add to the tax base, including getting previously started projects completed.

: I would like to encourage retail businesses to look at our city, to fill our empty stores. See empty homes filled with new residents.

: If deemed necessary, we could modestly raise fines and fees.  Permits and fees have a direct link to provide a city service or a violation of the law and are therefore a way to gather more revenue.

Events can also generate revenue. However, they would have to be carefully reviewed for the amount of front money they would require and what profit margin is projected. Generally events benefit the parks. But the Parks & Recreation Commission can vote to use the funds as needed.

: Short of selling of assets or raising taxes, which is not doable in this environment, there is no real way for any city to generate additional revenue.

: I would like to see more income-generating activities in the city that bring people together, like Arts in the Park, the Annual Car Show, or the Ice Carving Weekend. I would like to see activities such as an "Octoberfest" or a "Taste of the Community" in the downtown area. These activities would generate income for both business owners and the city itself. Another thought that I have regarding this issue is to work to entice small businesses to locate in the City of Utica. This could be done through proactive outbound soliciting for new businesses.