Little Falls, NY – The Little Falls Common Council held its regular meeting on Tuesday, approving key resolutions on water infrastructure, local laws, and geothermal studies, as Mayor Deborah Kaufman outlined fiscal progress and urged support for an appointed treasurer referendum.
Kaufman reported a solid cash position: “$2,071,368.29 in the General Fund/Water/Sewer/Golf (not all deficit financing has been transferred in) – plus $897,962.48 in our reserve fund.” The city is current on invoices, with $3,753,994.17 collected of $3,960,736.89 in taxes—urging payments by October’s end to avoid county re-levy.
Resolutions included amending a water withdrawal permit (No. 79) for the Southern Water Treatment Plant’s UV project roof replacement, plus approvals for September minutes and bills.
The 2026 budget timeline was shared: department meetings on October 10, Finance Committee review on October 17, draft to OSC on October 22, and potential public hearing on November 3. Initial sessions with the treasurer and mayor are underway, factoring in population loss impacts.
On the Fiscal Stress Monitoring System score—78% in 2024, up from 75% in 2023 and 55% in 2022—Kaufman called it a “downward spiral… years in the making,” a “slow eroding fueled by poor oversight.”
Since January 2024, achievements include debt consolidation, a $500+ procurement policy, $3 million pension financing ($30,000 monthly payments), 11 of 12 Comptroller recommendations met, revenue forecasting, non-essential expense cuts, deficit financing legislation, real-time council briefings, and a new website/Facebook Page for transparent posting of meetings, budgets, and audits.
“The FSMS score of 78, based on FYE 2024 data, lags behind our progress. Future scores will reflect this turnaround,” she said.
Kaufman noted the upcoming election and pivoted to the Appointed Treasurer Referendum, citing a 7% population drop (steeper than Amsterdam’s 4% or Gloversville’s 3.2%), limiting qualified candidates under geographic rules.
“Only two qualified candidates applied and none were willing to campaign for their job every 4 years,” she said, highlighting no background checks, and accountability gaps—”If an elected treasurer underperforms… no quick fix exists.” The 2021 measure failed, but now, “the stakes are higher… We need the best person we can find for the job.”
The Mayor remarked that there was additional information in her recent Op/Ed on the subject.
Economic wins: Toca Boca’s ribbon cutting in the former Copper Moose, Tony Maida owning Hansen Island, a Cheese Festival drawing 16,500, and Saturday’s Seneca Chief Celebration (12:00-6 p.m.) at Benton’s Landing and Sterzinar Park with vendors and music, along with the Rock Valley Brewing Company’s Country Music Festival from 2 pm until 11, and participation by the Herkimer Home from 4-7 pm with tours.
Watch the full meeting below, on YouTube or, on the City’s Website.
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