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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh is up against a crucial deadline today (May 19) as he navigates a contentious budget battle with the city's Common Council. The council recently made $16 million in cuts to Walsh's proposed $348 million budget for the upcoming fiscal year, which begins on July 1. Walsh has until the end of the day to file objections or vetoes to these amendments.
The council's decision to reject Walsh's budget and implement cuts was driven by an outside auditor's analysis, which recommended both broad and targeted reductions. The council's actions, however, have been criticized for lacking transparency, as the cuts were announced suddenly without public discussion. According to Mayor Walsh, the council's amendments were based on a rushed process that did not adequately involve city department heads or the Office of Management and Budget.
Walsh has expressed willingness to accept over $2.5 million in cuts to eliminate a proposed two percent tax rate increase, which the council rejected. This tax increase would have added approximately $60 to the annual bill for a property assessed at $100,000. Despite his openness to compromise, Walsh criticized the council's actions as "draconian and dangerous," warning that the cuts could impact city services, including police security details and nighttime patrols.
Councilor Pat Hogan, who is running for mayor, has indicated that the council is unlikely to accept Walsh's counter-offers, emphasizing concerns about using the city's reserve fund to balance the budget. The council's revisions aim to reduce the proposed deficit by over $15 million without increasing property taxes or cutting police and fire department staffing.
As reported by Spectrum Local News, the council believes it is essential to find responsible ways to reduce spending amid escalating expenses, especially with the end of federal COVID-19 relief funds. Walsh is hopeful for a compromise, stating, "We're going to deliver our objections in the spirit of compromise and hope the council reciprocates." The council will consider the mayor's objections at its meeting on May 27.