Q&A

 Thank you for the various questions being asked.  Having newly started the Q&A page (9-25) links not already provided will be provided to answers as soon as possible.

CORNELL:

What's the history of the Memorandum of Understanding between Ithaca and Cornell?

How much would a fair and meaningful PILOT be with Cornell?

Can Cornell afford this?

Doesn’t Cornell contribute to the City of Ithaca in other ways?

Cornell publishes yearly its "Local Economic Snapshot" Highlighting its impact on the local economy on the County and its municipalities including the City.

How does Cornell's voluntary contribution compare to some of our local for-profit businesses' voluntary contributions?

Why Is Cornell tax-exempt, and could it legally pay PILOTs? 

• Are universities exploiting their tax-exempt status?

Isn't the MOU with Cornell already a PILOT? (Link to proposed MOU)

No.  "The City of Ithaca acknowledges that in making voluntary monetary, material, and in-kind contributions to local municipalities, school districts, and community organizations, Cornell University neither intends to waive its tax-exempt status afforded by the laws of the State of New York nor to enter into a contractual arrangement for payments in lieu of taxes. The City further agrees that during the life of this Memorandum of Understanding it will take no step to seek a change in that status of the University, whether through judicial, legislative, or other means. The University acknowledges that nothing in this Memorandum of Understanding modifies the obligations of the City pursuant to federal, state, and local law."   (Page 4)

Will it need to come to this: "Fields v. Trustees of Princeton University" - here?

SCHOOL TAX:

How does Cornell's tax exemption affect the public schools?

Doesn’t Cornell pay wage taxes that support the public schools?

CITY RELATED QUESTIONS:

Is Common Council willing to vote YES on the proposed MOU because they are worried about immediate funding for the 2024 budget and without Cornell's "voluntary contribution" would have to lay people off?

• "Taxes will go up 5% if we don't take the Cornell deal!" True or False?
• We have asked the question how was the 5% derived and as of this writing have not gotten an answer.  It appears it was derived based on property tax revenue budgeted into the 2023 budget, i.e., ~5% of 30 million.  

• What about increase in other sources of revenue, e.g., new properties coming online? What about year over year growth in sales tax? What about year over year increase in assessed values?  Many of us will see the rate stay the same but because of increase in assessed value be paying more in property tax.