Rochester, New York
 A-
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| |||||||||||||||||||||||
Portions of this article were taken from Wikipedia
Contents |
[edit] Website evaluation
- Main article: Evaluation of New York city websites
Last rated on Feb. 2, 2012
[edit] The good
- Budget documents are available.[1]
- Council meeting schedules, minutes, and agendas are posted.[2]
- Names and contact information is available for elected officials.[3][4]
- Administrative officials' names and contact information is available.[4]
- Building permit and zoning information and forms are posted.[5][6]
- Financial audits, along with audits conducted by the Office of Public Integrity, are accessible.[7][8]
- Open and recently closed contracts are posted online.[9]
- Public records request information is provided, along with necessary forms and contact information.[10]
- City tax rate information is provided.[11]
[edit] The bad
- City lobbying information is not provided.
[edit] Budget
The city's proposed FY 2011-2012 budget contains expenditures totaling $467,098,100, a cut of approximately $5 million from the previous fiscal year. According to the Mayor's message, this small reduction is largely the product of a small accounting change made by the city. The budget attempts to close a nearly $50 million dollar gap, driven largely by the use of $12 million in reserves from the previous fiscal year, a 29% increase in pension costs, a $2.2 million reduction in state aid, a 14% increase in the cost of health insurance, and anticipated employee wage increases.[12]
The budget process begins with the Mayor's proposed budget, which is then considered by the City Council. At least one public hearing is required. Fiscal years run from July 1 to June 30 of the next calendar year.[12]
[edit] Public Employees
[edit] Elected officials
The City Council is made up of five at-large elected members, and four members representing individual districts. Members are:[13]
| Name | Title | District |
|---|---|---|
| Carolee A. Conklin | Councilmember | At-large |
| Matt Haag | Councilmember | At-large |
| Dana K. Miller | Councilmember | At-large |
| Jacklyn Ortiz | Councilmember | At-large |
| Loretta C. Scott | Councilmember | At-large |
| Adam McFadden | Councilmember | South District |
| Carla M. Palumbo | Councilmember | Northwest District |
| Elaine M. Spaull | Vice President | East District |
| Lovely A. Warren | President | Northeast District |
The current mayor of Rochester is Thomas S. Richards. He was sworn into office on April 11, 2011 after a special election replace the former mayor, Robert J. Duffy, who became Lieutenant Governor of New York State. The Mayor's office is the city's executive branch of government, responsible for the administration of city affairs, appointing department heads, preparing a budget, and more.[14]
[edit] Administrative officials
A list of key administrative officials, including contact information, can be found here.
[edit] Salaries
Rochester city employee salaries are compiled by the Empire Center. According to 2011 data, the highest paid city employee is listed as a "General Employee," and is paid $131,152 per year. The ten highest salaries range from the listed high to $118,953.[15]
[edit] Pensions
According to the Mayor's proposed 2011-2012 budget, the city has seen a 29% increase in pension costs. This has been a large driver of the city's $50 million budget gap.[12] Pension costs currently total $33.5 million, and are expected to continue growing. To address the city's problem, the same budget proposed the creation of a one time, $15,000 city employee retirement benefit.[16]
[edit] Lobbying
Rochester does not provide information on taxpayer funded lobbying efforts.
[edit] Transparency & public records
Freedom of Information request information can be found here.
[edit] Taxes
The city collects a property tax as its main tax levy. The tax is two-tiered, with one, two, and three family residences being taxed at a "homestead rate," and all other properties being taxed at a "non-homestead rate." Properties are assessed at full market value.[11]
The proposed 2011-2012 budget included and small property tax increase, remaining within the state's required 2% cap. Under these changes, the total homestead burden will increase from $2,185.36 to $2,244.95. The typical non-homestead burden will increase from $11,815.48 to $12,002.16. The city's total property tax levy is $167,149,400.[12]
[edit] External links
- City webpage
- Visit Rochester
- University of Rochester
- See sample transparency legislation at the Sunshine Standard
- New York on State Budget Solutions
[edit] References
- ↑ Budget
- ↑ Council Proceedings
- ↑ City Council
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Contact Us
- ↑ Building permits
- ↑ Zoning codes
- ↑ Comprehensive Annual Financial Reports
- ↑ OPI Audits
- ↑ Bids and RFP's
- ↑ City Records Access
- ↑ 11.0 11.1 Tax rates
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 12.3 Proposed 2011-2012 Budget
- ↑ Meet Rochester's City Councilmembers
- ↑ Office of the Mayor
- ↑ Rochester Salaries, SeeThroughNY.net, The Empire Center
- ↑ "News Release - Mayor Richards Closes $50M Budget Gap with Spending Cuts, Retirement Incentive that Restructures Workforce"
