City Assessor Tara Huseby told the Binghamton City Council during its fourth budget hearing that the Department of Assessment’s proposed 2026 budget is unchanged from the prior year and that the office has several openings on its Board of Assessment Review.

Huseby said, “The budget remained the same as last year. No changes.” She told council the department’s line items are largely status quo and said staff are available to answer questions about operations and grievances.

The matter drawing the most council attention was the Board of Assessment Review, which Huseby said currently has two sitting members and three openings for the five-member board required by the city charter. Huseby described basic eligibility and obligations for board members: they must be city residents, at least 18 years old, and able to serve during weekday hours around grievance season; members complete a three-hour training before serving.

Huseby said appointees are selected by the mayor and that residents interested in serving should contact the mayor’s office. She also confirmed the board receives a stipend of $400 per member.

Council members asked about continuity if a board member is absent for grievance day. Huseby said Broome County provides a fallback: the county clerk or county property office staff can act as backup when the city board cannot convene.

Huseby also explained why the department maintains a fund for outside appraisals. She said the city did not hire an appraiser this year because there was no legal need, but that when appraisals are required by the mayor’s office or legal counsel they typically cost thousands of dollars; the budget retains $7,500 in that line for such work.

A motion to close budget pages 23 and 24 (Assessment) passed by voice vote during the hearing; the record shows no opposition noted in the transcript.

Why this matters: vacancies on the Board of Assessment Review could reduce the board’s ability to hear property tax grievances during the statutory grievance window and make the city reliant on county staff for continuity.