Medina joins statewide push for more AIM funds for villages, cities

By Tom Rivers, Editor Posted 12 March 2024 at 10:44 am

MEDINA – The Medina Village Board on Monday approved joining a resolution and letter already signed by at least 370 leaders of cities and villages in the state, seeking an increase in AIM funding from the state.

The state Legislature and governor haven’t increased Aids and Incentives to Municipalities for 15 years. During that time inflation is up 45 percent and the state has imposed a tax cap of 2 percent on municipalities, according to the letter to Gov. Kathy Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

“This neglect from state government has led to rising municipal tax burdens and harmful disinvestment in essential municipal services and staff,” the letter states.

Medina Mayor Mike Sidari will join elected and appointed officials around the state in calling on an increase in AIM. Holley Mayor Mark Bower and Teri Woodworth, Lyndonville’s clerk-treasurer, also have signed on to the letter, which has been circulated by NYCOM – New York Conference of Mayors and Municipal Officials.

The state sets aside $715 million in AIM. Cities get 90.5 percent of this money, while towns statewide receive $47.9 million, and villages share $19.7 million.

Most small cities are getting $100 to $150 per capita in aid. Medina, population 6,047, gets only $45,523 in AIM, while Albion with 5,637 residents, gets even less at $38,811. That is a per capita of less than $8 for Orleans County’s two largest villages.

The letter that the Medina Village Board agreed to sign on calls for a general overall increase in AIM, but doesn’t address the disparity to the villages.

Medina trustees Jess Marciano and Diana Baker said they will be traveling to Albany on March 20 for NYCOM’s lobby day where they may be a better opportunity to press the tiny AIM funds directed to villages.

The letter approved by city and village leaders around the state urges an increase in Aim to help pay for public safety and make communities more affordable.

“Every community has public safety needs and for many local budgets, it is the largest cost driver,” the letter states. “If the State truly wants to ensure affordability and public safety for all New Yorkers, now is the time for an increase in AIM funding for cities, villages and towns.”