By Jasmyn Belcher
Oswego, NY – A Cortland Alderman wants other common councilors to consider dissolving the city.
Fifth ward Alderman Dan Quail presented his proposal at a council meeting last night, May 4. He cites a 2008 study done by the New York State Commission on local government efficiency. The study looked at sharing services in Oneonta, Norwich and Cortland.
Quail says 13 percent of city residents are over 65 years old, and the median household income is $26,000. He says residents can't afford to wait for relief.
"80 percent of the budget is made up of man power, and health and pension costs and with collective bargaining agreements in place constantly going up three percent, health care costs going up projected 12 percent, pension cost projected going up 16 percent. You're looking at double-digit tax increases for the foreseeable future. With people living on Social Security on fixed income, we're going to be driving people out of their homes. We can't allow that," said Quail.
Quail says over the last 30 years Cortland's population has dropped by nearly one thousand people. He says with a gradual decline in population, services can't be paid for without continued tax increases.