Utica Officials  Push for More AIM Funding 

For immediate release: January 21, 2025

City Council Passes Resolution Unanimously

The City of Utica has launched a renewed campaign to advocate for equitable

adjustments to Aid and Incentives for Municipalities (AIM) funding. The Common

Council, in a bipartisan vote, unanimously passed a resolution championed by

Mayor Michael P. Galime, calling on New York State to increase AIM funding to

reflect inflation and economic growth.

Mayor Michael P. Galime stated:

“While AIM funding should clearly be adjusted to match growth and inflation, I

was hopeful during this year’s State of the State address that a proposal to retain

the Temporary Municipal Assistance for municipalities would be extended. It is

imperative to advocate on behalf of the taxpayers of the City of Utica. I thank the

council, comptroller, and local state leaders for joining me in this effort and look

forward to advocating with mayors across the state to increase this funding,

which has remained static since 2011.”

Councilwoman Colosimo-Testa stated:

“As a representative of the City of Utica, I know that local municipalities form the

foundation of government operations. Over the years, stagnant state aid has

hindered municipalities' ability to grow and balance budgets in the face of

unfunded mandates and rising costs. A permanent increase in AIM funding is a

critical step toward supporting municipal growth and ensuring sustainability.”

Councilman Ervin stated:

“The AIM Funding would really help to fulfill some of the needs of the different

districts within the City of Utica. District 5 is a very distressed area and the

funding could help the mayor and the administration to address needs in this area

and the City of Utica. Receiving this funding is very important.”

In closing the Mayor stated that “Without a reasonable inflation adjustment to

AIM, cities across upstate New York are struggling to fund necessary expenses

such as NYS retirement contributions and healthcare costs—burdens that are

currently inequitably placed on property taxpayers.”

Disparity by the Numbers:

 Since 2011, the NYS budget has increased by 78.73%, while the City of

Utica’s budget has only grown by 26%.

 While state revenues have grown and the state budget has doubled, AIM

funding has been fixed at $16.1 million for Utica.

 In 2011, AIM funding accounted for 72% of the city’s property tax levy. By

2024, it had dropped to 47%.

 A state adjustment to AIM funding for all cities to match inflation would

account for just 0.12% of the entire state budget.

 For Utica, this adjustment would represent only 0.0026% of the state

budget but would provide critical support to the city.

Mayor Galime will continue to advocate for this essential funding source increase

at the New York Conference of Mayors and in meetings with state leaders.