Onondaga County lawmakers are moving on to the next phase of their budget review process, closely evaluating the county executive's proposed $1.5 billion spending plan.
Lawmakers spent most of last week calling on select department heads to go into more detail about their expenditures.
Brian May, the Ways and Means committee chair, said this week, they'll seek more specifics from those departments requesting additional funds.
“So the real work comes into maybe having a follow-up conversation with that department to say, OK, you say you need more, where do you have too much? Help us get there if you can and help us understand better what that is,” May said.
May said it helps that they’re starting with a strong foundation. He said the county executive and his team presented what he calls a very responsible budget.
“I think they're hitting on all the spots that our community needs us to hit on: The poverty initiatives, the lead initiatives, the investments in our towns and villages, the ongoing partnership with the city, it's all reflected in this budget," May said. "The question is understanding the numbers and where they go."
May said he’s been in constant communication with Chris Ryan, his Democratic counterpart, and they’re building consensus. For his part, Ryan agrees there’s plenty of agreement, but his caucus does see some gaps.
“We're probably going to have some modifications coming forward with some of our human service contracts and some things that we can do from a public health awareness standpoint," Ryan said. "I think there's still a great need for some of that, but we'll see."
Ryan included that qualifier because as the minority caucus, he does his best to make his voice and wishes are at least considered.
“I am very confident that they will be heard. Well, they're going to be heard because I'm going to tell them," Ryan said. "I would like to say that they're going to be taken seriously. Whether they make it into the budget remains to be seen."
The Ways and Means committee will issue its final amendments on Thursday. A public hearing and full vote by the legislature will he held in early October.
