Prior to meeting with each department in separate budget hearings, the Syracuse Common Council established their top priorities: fiscal responsibility, housing stability, and governmental efficiency.
The Council trimmed $1.65M from Mayor’s proposal and placed the entirety of additional $5M in State AIM funding into the city “rainy day fund.” Funds identified from vacant and newly proposed positions were re-allocated to address issues that the Common Council sees as urgent.
No city employee lost their job, there were no cuts to SPD or SFD, and city services were protected.
The Fiscal Year 2025 budget amendments voted on today are intended to jumpstart housing initiatives. $1.5M (divided equally) will go to Home Headquarters, the Greater Syracuse Landbank, and the Syracuse Housing Trust Fund, and are earmarked to stabilize housing in multiple neighborhoods.
Additionally, positions were strategically added in Code Enforcement to support the expected demand as new housing units are created and the Syracuse Housing Strategy pours millions of dollars into the revitalization of existing homes.
The Syracuse Common Council is united in the belief that the housing crisis in our city requires immediate intervention. We are hopeful that this historic investment in stabilizing current housing stock, demolishing blight and encouraging future development is a step in the right direction.
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