Homer Mayor Clune Signs Letter Directed to Increase AIM Funding For Village

Village of Homer Mayor joined in signing a letter for State Legislators for an increase in AIM (Aid and Incentives for Municipalities) Funding from the State through the New York State Conference of Mayors (NYCOM). Mayor Clune was one of the 600 signees of local leaders asking for changes in AIM Funding and how it can be fairly distributed to municipalities throughout the state.

“Unfortunately, local governments continue to grapple with the impacts of inflation, the end of federal ARPA funds, the flattening of sales tax revenue – and now the threat of losing federal aid. These factors, coupled with 15 years of level funding and a two percent tax cap, have placed significant financial strain on many municipalities. To ensure that local governments are better positioned to weather the economic challenges they face, we urge you as part of the 2025-26 State Budget to build upon your recent investment by committing to consistent and predictable annual increases in AIM funding.”

The letter from NYCOM highlighted; addressing Governor Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie.

In 2024, the Village of Homer received $29,315. In comparison, the City of Cortland received over $2 million dollars in AIM Funding. Trustee Ed Finkbeiner expressed his frustration on how the funding is given out citing how the village has about 3,500 people and the city around 15,000, speaking on how the City of Cortland should’ve received 5 times the funding Homer received, which would’ve been around $146,000 and not $2 million.

The Board of Trustees discussed further if there was a certain formula that is used when calculating how much money a municipality will receive from AIM Funding adding in it most likely isn’t based on population. 

AIM Funding provides unrestricted “general-purpose” funding for municipalities in the state, except New York City. The funding assists local governments have flexibility in how they allocate funds. In the 2024-2025 State Budget last year, AIM funding was increased for the first time in 15 years with an additional $50 million dollars allocated. 

Other local mayors signing to the letter included: McGraw Mayor Joe Nausef, City of Cortland Mayor Scott Steve, Village of Dryden Mayor Michael Murphy, Cayuga Heights Mayor Linda Woodward, Village of Lansing Mayor Ronny Hardaway, Whitney Point Mayor Jason Somers, and City of Ithaca Mayor Robert Cantelmo.