Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh says the impact to the city budget by the COVID-19 closures is now up to $30 million. That’s up $10 million from about two weeks ago, with most of the deficit from a sharp decline in sales tax revenue.
The state is feeling the same pinch, and Walsh worries that may prompt a reduction in aid to municipalities.
"That $30 million of anticipated revenue loss does not take into consideration what the governor has discussed recently about the potential of a 20 percent cut in existing state aid. What that means for the city of Syraucse is $14-15 million in additional revenue loss, which needless to say would be devastating."
Walsh reiterated his extreme disappointment in the lack of federal relief for state and local governments. He says his administration is working on budget contingency planning, which includes reduced service levels and staffing if there’s no help in sight.
He and other leaders made remarks Friday at an hour-long update to the community on city operations amid the pandemic. Schools superintendent Jaime Alicea says they have not yet cancelled prom or graduation. Yet, he’s quick to add there’s much uncertainty about the remainder of the school year. He knows everyone will have a different comfort level if schools are re-opened.
"If the parents are not comfortable sending their kids to school, they have the right to do that. We also want to make sure the teachers are comfortable coming back to the building. We need to look at the social and emotional [comfort] of not only the students, but also for the adults."
Alicea says much of what happens with schools will be dictated by the state. Meanwhile, he says online learning continues, and they’re providing 6,000 meals a day to all children who need them. That comes to more than 200,000 meals since they started March 17th.
