Syracuse council accepts tentative 2025–26 budget, sets June 10 public hearing after split vote

Syracuse City Council on an evening vote accepted a tentative fiscal year 2025–26 budget and set a public hearing for June 10 to consider adoption of the final budget.

Councilmembers debated whether to adopt the packet as presented or to keep the current property tax rate. Some members urged holding the rate to give residents relief; others said holding the rate would not address the city’s longer-term funding needs. The motion to accept the packet and set the hearing passed 4–1.

The tentative designation means the council will publish the budget for public review and may amend it at the June 10 meeting before voting on a final budget. During public comment before the vote, resident Mark Wagner said he was watching the budget closely and planned to contact councilmembers about their positions: “I will be contacting each of the council members to see where you stand on this matter,” he said.

Councilmember Jordan (title as stated in the meeting) argued that “holding the rate is not sufficient” to address needs and pressed for more frequent financial review, saying the next council could face the same problems if long-term adjustments aren’t made. Another councilmember said they were willing to “buy into the optimism” that projected business growth and sales increases would cover shortfalls for the coming year and thus supported the budget in the packet.

The motion recorded in the meeting minutes set the public hearing date and left the packet as the basis for public notice. The specific final tax rate and any amendments will be decided at the June 10 hearing.

The council’s action ensures the budget process continues on the calendar prescribed by statute and gives the public at least one formal opportunity to comment on the city’s final spending plan before adoption.