City Council:
AN ORDINANCE AUTHORIZING THE
ATTENDANCE OF SENIOR ASSESSMENT CLERKS
AT THE 2026 CORNELL CONFERENCE AND
AUTHORIZING RELATED EXPENDITURES
Whereas, by correspondence dated June 15, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Assessment has requested authorization for Senior Assessment Clerks Kameka Faulkner and Jennifer Shute of the Department of Assessment to attend the Cornell Conference in Ithaca, New York, from July 19, 2026, to July 24, 2026; and
Whereas, the Cornell Conference provides educational and professional development opportunities designed to enhance the knowledge and effectiveness of assessment personnel in the administration of real property assessment and taxation; and
Whereas, conference participants will receive instruction in courses including “Emerging Topics in Property Assessment” and “The Path of the Petition: Navigating BAR, SCAR, Mock Trial, and the Petition,” which are directly related to the duties and responsibilities of the Department of Assessment; and
Whereas, successful completion of these courses will provide continuing education credits recognized by the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services, thereby supporting the professional development and certification requirements of assessment personnel; and
Whereas, Senior Assessment Clerk Kameka Faulkner has been awarded the 2026 Michele Casandra Memorial Scholarship Fund through the New York State Assessors’ Association Seminar on Professional Development in the amount of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00), which shall be applied exclusively toward attendance at the Cornell Conference and will be reimbursed upon successful completion of the program requirements; and
Whereas, the scholarship significantly reduces the financial burden on the City and makes attendance at the conference a prudent and cost-effective investment in employee training and development; and
Whereas, the total cost of registration, lodging, travel, meals, and related conference expenses for both employees is estimated not to exceed Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00); and
Whereas, in an effort to minimize expenses and maximize the use of City funds, Ms. Faulkner and Ms. Shute will share hotel accommodations during the conference; and
Whereas, sufficient funds are available in the Board of Estimate and Contract Austerity Budget Line Account No. A1030.402 to support the authorized expenditures; and
Whereas, the City Council finds that attendance at the Cornell Conference serves a valid public purpose by improving the knowledge, skills, and effectiveness of Department of Assessment personnel and enhancing the quality of services provided to the residents of the City of Mount Vernon.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT ORDAINED by the City Council of the City of Mount Vernon, New York, as follows:
Section 1. Authorization of Attendance. The City Council hereby authorizes Senior Assessment Clerks Kameka Faulkner and Jennifer Shute of the Department of Assessment to attend the Cornell Conference in Ithaca, New York, from July 19, 2026, through July 24, 2026.
Section 2. Authorization of Expenditures. The City Council hereby authorizes expenditures in an amount not to exceed Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00) for conference registration fees, lodging, transportation, meals, and other necessary and reasonable expenses associated with attendance at the conference, in accordance with applicable City policies and procedures.
Section 3. Scholarship Reimbursement. The City acknowledges the award of the Michele Casandra Memorial Scholarship Fund in the amount of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00) to Kameka Faulkner. Any reimbursement received pursuant to the scholarship shall be processed and credited in accordance with applicable City financial procedures.
Section 4. Funding Source. The Comptroller and other duly authorized City officials are hereby authorized and directed to process all payments and reimbursements from Austerity Budget Code A1030.402, upon receipt of proper documentation and in compliance with all applicable purchasing and fiscal policies and procedures, consistent with the provisions of this Ordinance; and be it further approved.
Section 5. Administrative Authority. The Mayor, Comptroller, Commissioner of Assessment, and any other appropriate City officials are hereby authorized to take all actions necessary to implement the provisions of this Ordinance.
Section 6. Effective Date. This Ordinance shall take effect immediately upon its adoption by the City Council, subject to prior approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract.
Board of Estimate and Contract:
A REQUEST AUTHORIZING THE
ATTACHED TRAVEL AND
TRAINING REQUEST FORM AND
APPROVING THE EXPENDITURE OF FUNDS
FOR
THE SENIOR ASSESSMENT CLERKS,
KAMEKA FAULKNER and JENNIFER SHUTE
IN THE DEPARTMENT OF ASSESSMENT
TO
ATTEND THE 2026 CORNELL CONFERENCE
FROM
JULY 19 - 24, 2026
Board of Estimate and Contract:
A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING TRAVEL
AND TRAINING EXPENSES FOR SENIOR
ASSESSMENT CLERKS KAMEKA FAULKNER
AND JENNIFER SHUTE TO ATTEND THE
CORNELL CONFERENCE IN ITHACA, NEW YORK
WHEREAS, by correspondence dated June 15, 2026, the Commissioner of the Department of Assessment has requested authorization for Senior Assessment Clerks Kameka Faulkner and Jennifer Shute of the Department of Assessment to attend the Cornell Conference in Ithaca, New York, from July 19, 2026, to July 24, 2026; and
WHEREAS, the Cornell Conference provides specialized professional development and continuing education opportunities for assessment personnel, including coursework on “Emerging Topics in Property Assessment” and “The Path of the Petition: Navigating BAR, SCAR, Mock Trial, and the Petition”; and
WHEREAS, successful completion of these courses will provide continuing education credits recognized by the New York State Office of Real Property Tax Services, thereby enhancing the knowledge and effectiveness of Department personnel; and
WHEREAS, Senior Assessment Clerk Kameka Faulkner has been awarded the 2026 Michele Casandra Memorial Scholarship Fund through the New York State Assessors’ Association Seminar on Professional Development in the amount of One Thousand Two Hundred Dollars ($1,200.00), which will be applied toward conference-related expenses upon successful completion of the program; and
WHEREAS, the scholarship award significantly reduces the overall cost to the City and makes participation in the conference a cost-effective professional development opportunity; and
WHEREAS, the estimated total cost for conference registration, lodging, travel, and meals for both employees shall not exceed Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00), and the attendees will share lodging accommodations to further minimize expenses; and
WHEREAS, funding for this expenditure is available in the Board of Estimate and Contract Austerity Budget Line Account No. A1030.402; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT
RESOLVED, that the Board of Estimate and Contract of the City of Mount Vernon hereby authorizes Senior Assessment Clerks Kameka Faulkner and Jennifer Shute of the Department of Assessment to attend the Cornell Conference in Ithaca, New York, from July 19, 2026, through July 24, 2026; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Board authorizes expenditures in an amount not to exceed Two Thousand Three Hundred Dollars ($2,300.00) for registration fees, lodging, travel, meals, and related conference expenses, subject to applicable City policies and procedures; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that the Comptroller and other duly authorized City officials are hereby authorized and directed to process all payments and reimbursements from Austerity Budget Code A1030.402, upon receipt of proper documentation and in compliance with all applicable purchasing and fiscal policies and procedures, consistent with the provisions of this Resolution; and be it further approved; and BE IT FURTHER
RESOLVED, that this Resolution is subject to approval by the Board of Estimate and Contract (BOE&C) and subsequent adoption by the City Council.