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Three members — Mayor Jimmy Giannettino, along with Councilors Christina Calarco and Terry Cuddy — voted against exceeding the tax cap. Councilor Ginny Kent was the lone vote in favor of the measure. Councilor Rhoda Overstreet-Wilson was absent.

The City Council considered the proposed law as it addresses a 2025-26 budget shortfall. The deficit started at $8.6 million and has been whittled down to under $2 million.

To override the property tax cap, which is generally the lesser of 2% or the rate of inflation, the City Council needed three of its five members to support the local law.

Before explaining her vote, Kent asked for clarification about the law's intent. Giannettino confirmed it would not require the council to exceed the cap, but would give it the option if it's needed.

"I would vote for the ability to go beyond it, but I'm committed to not doing that," Kent said. "I just think that's being responsible."

The vote followed opportunities for the public to speak about the city's 2025-26 budget proposal and the local law to exceed the property tax cap. Although no one spoke during the formal hearings on the subjects, there were several speakers who commented on aspects of the budget.

Cuddy, who acknowledged the comments from constituents in his remarks, also recognized the work of city staff in making budget cuts.

"I know we're at the last minute, but I also know that we, as a city, can do more to save costs, to try to approach this year in a new way and I am going to vote against going above the tax cap because I know we can do more," he said. "I don't want to burden the property owners, the residents of Auburn, with an increase in the tax levy."

Giannettino said he could not support exceeding the property tax cap because the city is also proposing an increased trash collection fee. If the City Council approves the increase, the fee will rise from $276 to $400.

Repeating his message throughout the budget process, Giannettino noted that state funding has not increased and other municipalities are facing the same challenges. As an example, he mentioned the city of Watertown has raised taxes by 18%.

"I know we're still a little ways off," Giannettino said. "I believe we still have some work to do in the next couple of weeks. But I will not be supporting exceeding the tax cap this evening."

Calarco did not comment on the proposed local law during the meeting, but she made a statement with her vote. She joined Cuddy and Giannettino in opposing the local law, ensuring its defeat.

Now, the city must stay within the property tax cap. When Auburn City Comptroller Mary Beth Leeson outlined the 2025-26 budget proposal, it included an increase in the property tax rate from $11.27 to $11.74 per $1,000 of taxable value. That would be within the cap, but it's also not the final rate.

The City Council plans to adopt the 2025-26 budget at its June 12 meeting.