City of Syracuse, NY

06/15/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 06/15/2026 10:51

Mayor Owens and Council Seek Review of Appellate Division Decision

Mayor Owens and Council Seek Review of Appellate Division Decision

Published on June 15, 2026

Syracuse Mayor Sharon F. Owens, alongside members of the Syracuse Common Council, announced that the City will request permission from the Court to appeal the recent decision issued by the Appellate Division Fourth Department.

"While we value the long-standing partnerships with our local colleges and universities, we have a responsibility to promote fairness for the many local businesses and commercial property owners who pay taxes while providing goods and services to the general public," said Mayor Owens. "The City's appeal is not a challenge to the University's educational mission. Rather, it stems from the assessor's analysis which indicates that a portion of the revenue generated by the Schine Student Center is derived from activity involving the general public and not exclusively students, faculty, or the University's academic operations. It is that portion of the facility for which the City is seeking taxation."

"Decisions that affect the City's tax base and economic environment have far-reaching implications for our ability to provide essential services to residents," said Common Council President Paniagua and Finance Chair Williams. "As Syracuse continues to address the growing demands for quality-of-life services, preserving a stable and equitable revenue base remains a critical priority. Our objective is not only to maintain strong and productive relationships with our institutional partners, but also to safeguard the resources necessary to support the long-term fiscal health of the City and the services upon which Syracuse residents rely every day. We remain committed to working collaboratively toward solutions that balance institutional growth with the broader interests of the community as a whole".

The City remains committed to having a fair and equitable tax system that supports essential public services and maintains stability for all residents.

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City of Syracuse, NY published this content on June 15, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on June 15, 2026 at 16:52 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]