Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner presented her budget for the next fiscal year Monday night.
Her proposed budget includes no tax increase, as well as no increase in water and sewer rates. It does add an extra half million to the school district budget, but the district remains more than $30 million in the hole.
"I'm working with the Superintendent on a monthly basis. There are some one shots they have proposed and we're trying to figure out how we get through this, but it is definitely daunting and formidable to say the least,? Miner said before the presentation.
It also commits $1 million to the Say Yes to Education program.
New York State is contributing to help the city with a budget challenge created by soaring pension costs. The deal is for this year only, but it allows the city to keep a healthy fund balance and bond rating, which saves money when the city borrows.
Miner warned that next year the city could once again be faced with a significant problem created by pension costs.
"I caution that next year at this time we could be in the same place unless all people of goodwill, our unions, our state leadership, city leadership get together and find a solution to our exponentially rising pension costs," she said.
To combat rising healthcare costs, the mayor is proposing city workers contribute more in co-pays based on a sliding scale. She also wants wages frozen for a third straight year.
"It?s a balancing act to make sure that we make the fiscally responsible decisions so that we can allow that growth to continue and still at the same time afford and provide the kind of quality services that people need and expect in the city,? she said.
The entire proposal will now go to the Common Council, which has a month to vote on the budget.
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