Syracuse Common Council

The Common Council's version of the budget cuts $16 million from Mayor Ben Walsh's original spending plan.

Syracuse Common Councilors take the final step Tuesday in a budget tug-of-war with Mayor Ben Walsh, sifting through dozens of vetoes Walsh made after the council took the unprecedented step of making 82 amendments to Walsh’s original $348 million spending plan.

The Syracuse Common Council passed 80 budget amendments Thursday, slashing the city budget by $16 million.

Syracuse lawmakers are continuing to put off plans for a $1.8 million project that would realign real property tax values. It would have been the first city-wide revaluation of properties in 30 years, but is now the victim of a stumbling economy.

The 2% tax increase would be used to help fill a $27 million deficit.

Syracuse Common Councilors voted unanimously to approve a land swap agreement allowing for two community development projects to move to the next steps.

Syracuse Common Councilors withdrew legislation considerations for a new children's center and to opt into Good Cause Eviction laws, discussions may continue outside of the council agenda.

Syracuse Common Council passed a new 2% hotel tax to generate millions in revenue. The Council also ordered an audit of the city's $10 million IT system modernization project.

One Syracuse Common Councilor says the city needs to find new revenue sources to avoid financial troubles.

Syracuse lawmakers are continuing to discuss and learn more about what it would mean for the city to opt into Good Cause Eviction laws.