IURA approves 2025 audit, reaffirms investment rules and files annual reports

The Ithaca Urban Renewal Agency approved its 2025 financial audit, reaffirmed its investment guidelines and authorized submission of the agency's annual public‑authorities package to the New York State Authorities Budget Office.

Nels, the agency staff presenter, told members the audit was a clean opinion with “no deficiencies or recommendations” and walked the board through the agency's adjusted‑accrual reporting basis, explaining that loan issuance can temporarily lower reported assets until repayments are received. “We didn't make a lot of loans in 2025, so it kind of shows a little boost in terms of our outcomes,” he said.

The board unanimously approved the audit report and then moved to reaffirm investment guidelines required by the public‑authorities reporting law. Nels described the agency's conservative approach: cash held in FDIC‑insured accounts, collateralization for balances above the FDIC limit, and investments focused on low‑risk federal and municipal securities. He also noted HUD rules that require returning bank interest earned on HUD funds above a threshold.

Members then approved the agency's package of submissions to the Authorities Budget Office — the budget report, annual report, procurement report, investment report and the certified audit — again by unanimous voice vote.

Nels cautioned that, despite the clean audit, the agency anticipates an operating deficit this year because grant levels have not kept up with inflation and some urban‑renewal project revenues are realized in later years. He told the board the agency has transitioned from an in‑house employee accountant to an independent‑contractor accountant and proposed a limited mileage reimbursement for required in‑person delivery of checks and HUD drawdown documents.

Votes at a glance

- Approval of 2025 IURA financial audit report: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously. (motion text read from agenda; approval recorded.)
- Reaffirmation of IURA investment guidelines: motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.
- Approval to submit 2025 Public Authorities reports (ABO): motion moved and seconded; outcome: approved unanimously.

The agency will bring the proposed contractor reimbursement terms back to the full agency for consideration and a 12‑month review cycle.