Watertownâs mayor, city manager have differing views on tax proposal WWNY Watertownâs mayor, city manager have differing views on tax proposal By Abbey Buttacavoli | April 26, 2021 at 5:21 PM EDT - Updated April 26 at 9:26 PM WATERTOWN, N.Y. (WWNY) - When Watertownâs lucrative hydropower contract will expire in 2030, the city will lose millions of dollars in revenue. To prepare for that loss, City Manager Ken Mix says taxes need to increase now, but Mayor Jeff Smith disagrees. âI donât want to see a tax rate increase and thatâs going to be my goal to make sure we donât have one,â said Smith.