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Late invoices from Broome County create $20,000 shortfall for Government Plaza maintenance
Summary
City public works staff told council that missed county invoices for two quarters in 2023 arrived late and forced a 2024 budget adjustment of about $20,000; council debated an expedited payment and ultimately determined the expedite request did not meet the full‑body threshold.
BINGHAMTON — Council members discussed a budget amendment Jan. 27 to cover overages in the shared maintenance agreement for Government Plaza after Broome County invoices for the third and fourth quarters of 2023 arrived late.
Josh Blutty, acting commissioner of public works, said the county did not send invoices for those quarters until late October 2024, and the city had to pay $20,000 of 2023 costs out of its 2024 maintenance line. That timing pushed a portion of the 2023 expense into the current fiscal year and created a need for an in‑year budget adjustment.
Council members asked whether the maintenance agreement includes billing timing provisions. Blutty said there is a billing agreement that identifies quarterly invoicing but does not set a strict calendar for when invoices must arrive. He offered to provide the agreement for the council’s review.
Council debated a motion to expedite consideration of the ordinance. The initial roll call on the expedite motion recorded three ayes and two no votes (three in favor, two opposed, one absent). Later in the meeting a city official clarified that an expedite motion in this context required a majority of the full council rather than only those present, and therefore the expedite request did not meet the required threshold and did not pass.
Council directed staff to provide the billing agreement and follow up with Broome County and finance staff about the invoicing timeline and any procedural changes that could prevent delayed billing in the future.
