Syracuse Common Councilors unanimously approved a budget Thursday that holds property taxes flat but also includes broad cuts across multiple departments. It’s an effort to trim what they call over-spending by the mayor’s office. The Walsh administration proposed a two percent property tax increase and using $27 million in reserves to balance the budget. Acting council president Pat Hogan said they didn't make specific cuts.
“What we did is allow people department heads to make judicious decisions how they run their department," Hogan said. "We didn't cut any jobs. We just cut money.”
Council finance committee chair Corey Williams says their plan gives departments flexibility.
“They can make inter-departmental budget transfers and we expect them to be the experts with how they choose to spend their money," Williams said.
But Mayor Ben Walsh strongly disagreed. He was visibly angry during an hour-long press conference following the council vote.
“These cuts contained in the council's amendments are draconian and they're dangerous.”
Walsh said the more than 80 amendments from councilors slashed $16 million from his $348 million proposed budget. Walsh says the council’s plan leaves no room for error, and any changes in federal or state spending will be catastrophic. Walsh says councilors failed in their fiduciary duty.
"More than 80 amendments, how many identify new sources of revenue? Zero. Zero," Walsh said. "So if this is about addressing our structural deficit and positioning the city for long term fiscal sustainability, how could you bring nothing to the table on the revenue side? Inexcusable.”
Walsh says the council’s cuts will severely impact police and fire operations, parks programs, code enforcement, litter control, and more. He and several department heads pointed out councilors voted to cut some of the same programs they approved in recent meetings. The mayor has ten days to approve or veto the amendments. Unless councilors change their minds, they’re likely to override any vetoes. A final budget must be in place by June 2.
