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The Syracuse Common Council has overridden all of Mayor Ben Walsh's budget vetoes, maintaining $16 million in cuts to his $348 million fiscal plan. The budget, set to take effect on July 1, will keep property tax rates flat and use $14 million from general reserves to bridge the gap between anticipated spending and revenue.
During a meeting on Tuesday (May 27), all nine councilors unanimously approved the 45 budget objections sent by Mayor Walsh on May 19. Despite the unanimous decision, the budget process has been contentious, with both the mayor and the council accusing each other of irresponsibility.
Mayor Walsh expressed concerns that the budget cuts will harm public safety, constituent services, and city employees. He stated, "Make no mistake, this is the Common Council’s budget, and it will be harmful to constituent services, quality of life, public safety, and employees."
According to Spectrum Local News, the mayor's original budget proposal included a 2% property tax increase and relied on $27.1 million from the city's savings. However, the council prioritized aligning city spending with revenues, arguing that the mayor's plan could deplete the city's reserves in about four years.
The council's amended budget will reduce total spending by 2% and includes modest increases for some departments, such as a 2.5% increase for the fire department and a 1.9% increase for public works. The police department's budget was reduced by 1%, but the council noted that the police chief could request additional funds if necessary.
Mayor Walsh has tasked department heads with developing new contingency spending plans based on the council's approved numbers, with details expected in about two weeks. The council remains skeptical of the need for drastic changes, stating that the real danger lies in spending money the city does not have.