Syracuse Common Council

A new law passed unanimously by the Syracuse Common Council creates a violation and fine for parking and blocking a bike lane. Advocates say it's for safety, bicyclists won't be forced into traffic.

The Syracuse Common Council will see at least two new faces next year after Tuesday’s primary results.

The Walsh Administration was seeking to better balance tax inequities among its 40,000-plus properties. Some councilors are seeking re-election, and two councilors are running for mayor.

The normally uneventful process was unusually heated after councilors presented last-minute budget-cutting amendments.

The vote ends the most contentious budget process of Mayor Walsh's tenure, and perhaps the last decade. Walsh says department heads are working on contingency budgets for the fiscal year starting July 1.

The council appears to have the six vote majority needed to override the mayor's objections. He warns that could result in a significant cut to city services.

Councilors slashed $16 million from Walsh's original proposal. He hopes enough of them will agree to restore $13 million to avoid service disruptions and staff cuts.

Mayor Ben Walsh has until Monday to accept the council's plan, veto it, or hammer out another agreement.

Councilors gave no indication to department heads about their intent to slash their budgets, and have declined to release analysis from an outside accounting firm that informed their decision.

The harsh cuts caught all city departments by surprise, sparking an angry rebuke.