ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — In Ithaca, a large budget gap next year is gone. 

City Manager Dominick Recckio says a lot of work went into dropping the projected deficit for 2027. 

“We entered the budget season with an $8 million budget gap that had to be closed, Recckio said Friday, Oct. 23 on WHCU’s 607 This Morning. “I can confidently say that staff have done a pretty excellent job of closing that gap. What we’re looking at ultimately is a budget that was recommended below the New York State tax gap; the budget recommends a 1.7% tax levy increase,” Recckio continued.

To close the deficit, Recckio says city officials suggested making cuts across the board.

“We took a lot of cuts to different things this year, Recckio stated. “We avoided layoffs. We trimmed quite a few vacant positions and lots of things across contracts or other operational items,” Recckio added.

Recckio, who was recently appointed city manager, presented his recommended budget to the Common Council at their Oct. 7 meeting. Common Council members will likely vote to adopt the 2027 city budget on Nov. 4.