City Council demands audit of $357K in unspent CDBG funds amid budget concerns

In the heart of Binghamton's city hall, a palpable tension filled the air as council members gathered for the City Council Work Session on June 16, 2025. The meeting quickly turned into a deep dive into the complexities of unspent Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) funds, with council members expressing frustration over a lack of transparency and communication regarding these critical resources.

At the center of the discussion was a significant sum of over $357,000 in unspent funds, which had raised eyebrows among council members who felt blindsided by the sudden revelation. Councilwoman Middleton emphasized the need for a comprehensive audit of these unspent CDBG, HOME, Emergency Solutions Grant (ESG), and COVID-related dollars, insisting that no further requests for allocations should proceed until a full accounting was provided. “I am not willing to move forward any request that allocates alleged unspent CDBG dollars until that full report is completed,” she stated firmly.

The council's concerns were not merely procedural; they reflected a deeper worry about the implications of these funds for vulnerable communities. Council members voiced their apprehension that the funds, which are intended to support critical community needs, had been left unutilized for years. “$357,000 is no small amount, and these are critical funds for vulnerable communities,” one member remarked, highlighting the urgency of the situation.

As the dialogue unfolded, it became clear that the council was grappling with a disconnect between the city’s financial management and their own oversight responsibilities. Council members demanded clarity on how funds had remained unspent for so long, with some questioning the processes in place for tracking and reallocating these resources. “Megan, some of this money has been sitting there for six years,” one council member pointed out, expressing disbelief at the lack of communication regarding the status of these funds.

The discussion also touched on the pressing needs of the Binghamton Fire Department, which had recently requested funding for new turnout gear and vehicles. Council members were concerned about the prioritization of these requests against the backdrop of unspent funds meant for community development. “I support the fire department a thousand percent,” one member asserted, but cautioned against diverting funds from their intended purpose.

As the meeting progressed, the call for a more systematic approach to tracking unspent funds grew louder. Council members urged for a detailed report that would not only outline the current status of unspent dollars but also provide insight into potential future allocations. “We want a line-by-line accounting of what's not been spent, how it was allocated, and what usable alternatives would be,” one member insisted, underscoring the need for accountability.

The session concluded with a commitment from city officials to provide the requested documentation and a clearer understanding of the financial landscape. However, the lingering questions about the management of these funds and the communication gaps between the council and city departments left many council members feeling uneasy. As they left the chamber, the urgency of their discussions echoed in the hallways, a reminder of the critical role these funds play in supporting the community's most vulnerable residents.