In a recent session of the Syracuse Common Council, city councilors passed amendments that cut $16 million from planned spending across various city services. The list of cuts was posted online late the night before the vote, leaving little room for public discussion or awareness.
The session saw a packed chamber filled with concerned city workers, but few members of the public were present due to what has been described as a sudden and secretive approach by the Council. Mayor Walsh criticized this process, highlighting it as a breach of government transparency driven by Council leadership including President Pro Temp Pat Hogan, Finance Chair Corey Williams, Chol Majok, and Rasheada Caldwell.
President Pro Temp Hogan stated that the cuts were based on an analysis by an outside auditor. This report was prepared in about 15 days and delivered exclusively to the Council without any public meetings to discuss its findings. A secret meeting was held on May 2 to review these findings before voting on them.
Mayor Walsh emphasized that developing a municipal budget is complex and requires financial expertise along with knowledge of how city services are delivered. He noted that while Bonadio serves as the city’s audit firm, they lack intimate familiarity with city operations and did not engage directly with department heads during their analysis.
The Mayor has until next Monday to respond to these amendments with objections or vetoes. He expressed readiness to work with the full Council to address concerns without risking city services or jobs. Mayor Walsh also pointed out that while Syracuse faces financial challenges, it is currently in its best fiscal shape in decades due to revenue-generating measures and efforts not to cut services despite rising costs.
He concluded by expressing his willingness to collaborate further with the Council, noting past achievements through cooperation over his seven-year tenure as Mayor.
