Over 52% of Black residents in Utica, New York, live below the poverty line — a staggering and unsustainable figure. This is nearly double the citywide average of 28%, and far above the state average for Black residents.

This is not just a racial crisis — it is a civic and financial one. When half of any community is locked into poverty, the entire city bears the cost. We see it in rising emergency response budgets, overextended public services, and ultimately, higher taxes for everyone.

In fact, many of the same residents who’ve seen property taxes increase this past year are now being asked to fund programs that respond to crisis — not prevent it. The longer we delay real action, the more expensive the consequences become for the entire tax base.

Yet despite the continued promotion of “revitalization,” “anti-violence,” and “equity” initiatives, city officials have failed to name or address this core truth.

We, the undersigned, believe that responsible governance begins with honesty.

 
We call on the Mayor and Common Council of Utica to:

1. Acknowledge the crisis.
Formally recognize the 52.1% poverty rate among Black Uticans in all official statements, funding proposals, and planning documents.

2. Release public data.
Provide a racial and demographic breakdown of all city-funded programs and contracts from the last five years — including the leadership makeup of funded organizations.

3. Support a community-led 52% Task Force.
Empower an independent, community-driven body to investigate the root causes of Black poverty and propose actionable reforms within six months.

4. Pause symbolic programming.
Suspend city-sponsored “diversity” and “equity” events that are not materially tied to investment in affected communities.

5. Commit to targeted reinvestment.
Dedicate a percentage of discretionary city funds each year to Black-led housing, education, food access, and job creation efforts — with public reporting and measurable benchmarks.

 
This is not a request for charity. It is a call for fiscal responsibility, transparency, and shared accountability.

A city cannot thrive — economically or socially — while more than half of any group is left behind.

Before asking residents to accept another tax increase, city leaders must be asked:
Have you addressed the root crisis driving the cost?

Because if Black poverty remains untouched, every new program, every emergency response, and every public system will keep getting more expensive — and more strained.

The longer we avoid the numbers, the more we all end up paying for the consequences.

It’s time to face the truth. And it’s time to act.