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Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh has released a list of service cuts following the Common Council's decision to slash $16 million from his proposed $348 million budget. The new budget, which goes into effect on July 1, significantly impacts several city departments, including the Syracuse Police Department and the Department of Public Works (DPW).
The Syracuse Police Department will lose its cadet program and ShotSpotter technology, which is used to detect gunfire. Additionally, the department will see reduced funding for its mental health response partnership with Liberty Resources. The DPW faces nearly $4 million in cuts, affecting traffic calming projects, bike and pedestrian safety improvements, and the city's Vision Zero initiative aimed at eliminating traffic fatalities.
The Syracuse Fire Department will also experience a $1 million reduction in its budget, part of a broader $2 million cut. The Division of Code Enforcement is losing two housing inspector positions and funding for its third-party permit review partnership, potentially resulting in a $1 million loss in revenue from permitting fees.
Mayor Walsh emphasized his commitment to minimizing the impact on essential services and maintaining public safety. "We are committed to implementing these changes in a way that minimizes impact on the services Syracuse residents depend on," he said. The mayor also expressed a desire to work with the Common Council to mitigate the effects of the cuts.
Syracuse.com reported that these budget cuts will result in fewer police officers in Downtown and Armory Square, less funding for road salt, and the closure of a pool for two summer months.