Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner proposes a city budget that holds the line on taxes, sewer and water fees. Miner says in a release she’s keeping the city a good place to live.
“From continued investments in programs like Say Yes to Education, we are demonstrating we are willing to make big ideas work for the people of our community. Additionally, by not raising taxes, water rates, and sewer rates, we are keeping Syracuse an affordable City where people can live, work, and raise a family.”
The $674 million spending plan for the 2015-16 fiscal year commits $1.5 million to the Say Yes for Education Program. It also benefits from projections of an extra $472,000 in building permits, due to increased construction projects, including the Hotel Syracuse and Inner Harbor developments. Parks revenues could also be up, based on her projections, to add another $110,000 to the bank account.
HIGHLIGHTS OF MAYOR MINER’S 2015-16 BUDGET PROPOSAL
- Pensions: For the first time in years, pension expenditures from the City of Syracuse will decrease by $2.1 million to an estimated $26.4 million. Due to Mayor Miner’s decision not to amortize pension payments as part of the NYS Pension Rate Stabilization program, this payment will decrease and then plateau, saving the City of Syracuse money in future budget years.
- Taxes, Water, Sewer Rates: The Mayor’s proposal will not increase taxes, water rates, or sewer rates. The City property tax levy will increase by $64,404 to $33,928,036.
- Building Permits: This budget includes a $472,000 increase in building permits to account for major construction projects such as the Hotel Syracuse, Excellus, Sibley’s, and Syracuse Savings Bank buildings, new apartment construction on Remington Avenue and the continuation of the Inner Harbor redevelopment.
- Parks Programming: This budget factors in a $110,000 increase for Parks revenue—including from Clinton Square—due to increased participation in programs and activities.
- Say Yes to Education: The Mayor’s proposal includes a $1.5 million commitment to the Say Yes to Education Foundation to continue providing educational support services to children and families throughout the City of Syracuse.
- Office of Innovation: The newly-created Office of Innovation will be funded through a grant from Bloomberg Philanthropies. An Innovation Team is tasked with finding creative and innovative solutions to pressing City problems.
- Imagination Library: The budget includes $50,000 in continued funding for Literacy Coalition of Onondaga County to foster childhood literacy citywide through the Imagination Library program.
- AIM Aid: State Aid and Incentives to Municipalities (AIM) Aid will remain flat once again at $71.8 million.
Miner adds a decision about the huge pension commitment is starting to pay dividends.
“Our pension liability will decrease by $2.1 million in this budget. By opting not to amortize these costs by participating in the New York State Pension Rate Stabilization program, this savings will help support other important responsibilities of city government. This was a tough but prudent choice at the time which will now benefit Syracuse taxpayers.”
The decision not to participate in a pension smoothing arrangement pushed by Governor Cuomo and Comptroller Tom DiNapoli ruffled feathers in the Democratic Party at the time. Though Miner says the city is now reaping benefits from a decision that cost the city money on the front end.
The budget breakdown: $283 million for Syracuse City operations; $391 million for Syracuse City School District.
Syracuse Common Councilors will now have a chance to review and suggest modifications to the budget plan.
