The Glossary

Property taxes and city budgets come wrapped in jargon. Here is every technical term this site uses, in plain English — with the Elmira-specific number where there is one.

Read without the jargon

The terms should not be the barrier between residents and their own records.

Use this glossary to translate the tax, budget, and planning language on the site. Each definition starts in plain English and then gives the Elmira-specific context where it matters.

Terms with a dotted underline on any page open the same definition in place.

Browse the glossary →
You shouldn't need this page to read this site. Every term below is also explained where it first appears, and words with a dotted underline can be tapped for a definition right in place. This page is the reference copy — bookmark it, argue with it, or send it to a neighbor.