The process leading up to final passage of Syracuse’s next budget revealed a sharp philosophical divide between the mayor and common council about how to fund city government. It was the most tumultuous of Mayor Walsh’s two-term tenure.
The divide became abundantly clear earlier this month when the council approved more than 80 last-minute amendments slashing 16-million-dollars from the mayor’s proposed budget. Asked multiple times whether he could find middle ground after overriding all the mayor’s vetoes, acting council president Pat Hogan would only say this to reporters:
“He has his opinion on the budget. We have our opinion of the budget,” Hogan said.
“So you felt there was nothing reasonable to compromise on?" asked a reporter.
“I didn't think so. No," Hogan said. "It took me aback that $27 million fund balance draw.”
Mayor Ben Walsh said he understands that number is scary. But he said there seemed to be a fundamental misunderstanding among councilors about the process.
"If you if you take the time to do your homework, to review the the vast amount of information and data that we regularly share with the councilors -- which they often ignore -- what you would see is consistently us spending much less than we budget for," Walsh said. "You budget for a worst-case scenario and you manage towards the best.”
Walsh said his administration has a track record of positive outcomes, and says they’ll aim to continue even with the council’s cuts.
Hogan has said departments can shift money internally, and ask council for more if they need it. Walsh said his administration might consider it.
“It's a disingenuous offer if the goal is really to rein in spending," Walsh said. "But they seem to be very quick to offer that, certainly when they heard from upset department heads. They said ‘don't worry. Just come back. We'll give you more.’ We might take them up on that."
The Walsh administration is working to have a contingency budget ready in about two weeks. The new fiscal year begins July first.
