AUBURN - Auburn residents will not be paying more sales tax on their gas anytime soon. The Auburn City Council voted unanimously at its business meeting Thursday against a law that would have revoked the cap on gasoline sales tax within the city.
The proposal was to have taxes on motor and diesel fuels calculated as a percentage rate on every dollar. Under the cap, which was adopted in 2006, the city stops collecting sales tax at $2 per gallon. The Cayuga County Legislature repealed its own $2 gas tax cap in November 2007.
Thursday's vote came after what was scheduled to be a public hearing on the matter, but no one showed up to speak.
Councilor Matt Smith said after the meeting that good things do not come when taxes are raised.
“Changing the gas tax would be bad for business and bad for taxpayers,” Smith said. “I feel at all levels, people are being nickeled and dimed by the government.”
In other news:
• The council moved forward on changing a law that regulates where registered sex offenders can reside and loiter within the city.
The council heard the first reading of the proposed amended law, which in its current state prohibits level-three offenders who have been convicted of crimes against minors from living or loitering within 500 feet of any daycare facility, school or park. The amendment would take out the stipulation “against minors,” making the law apply to all level-three offenders. Level three is the highest at which a sex offender can be designated under the Sex Offender Registration Act.
The council also authorized a public hearing on the issue, which will take place at 6 p.m. March 13 at City Hall.
Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta said after the meeting that members of the force recommended the change after numerous residents voiced concern over the statute in its current state.
“This way, we will be able to take care of any offender who tries to move close to a school in the future,” Giannotta said.
* The council voted to re-appoint Auburn City Court Judge Thomas Shamon, whose six-year as a part-time judge expires April 17. Shamon's new contract, which is paid by the state, will expire in 2014.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.
Thursday's vote came after what was scheduled to be a public hearing on the matter, but no one showed up to speak.
Councilor Matt Smith said after the meeting that good things do not come when taxes are raised.
“Changing the gas tax would be bad for business and bad for taxpayers,” Smith said. “I feel at all levels, people are being nickeled and dimed by the government.”
In other news:
• The council moved forward on changing a law that regulates where registered sex offenders can reside and loiter within the city.
The council heard the first reading of the proposed amended law, which in its current state prohibits level-three offenders who have been convicted of crimes against minors from living or loitering within 500 feet of any daycare facility, school or park. The amendment would take out the stipulation “against minors,” making the law apply to all level-three offenders. Level three is the highest at which a sex offender can be designated under the Sex Offender Registration Act.
The council also authorized a public hearing on the issue, which will take place at 6 p.m. March 13 at City Hall.
Auburn Police Chief Gary Giannotta said after the meeting that members of the force recommended the change after numerous residents voiced concern over the statute in its current state.
“This way, we will be able to take care of any offender who tries to move close to a school in the future,” Giannotta said.
* The council voted to re-appoint Auburn City Court Judge Thomas Shamon, whose six-year as a part-time judge expires April 17. Shamon's new contract, which is paid by the state, will expire in 2014.
Staff writer Christopher Caskey can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 282 or christopher.caskey@lee.net.