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Syracuse City councilors discuss training funds, professional services and staffing in budget review
Summary
At a Syracuse City Common Council budget review, councilors discussed maintaining travel and training funding for members and staff, adding $15,000–$30,000 to a professional services line for consultants, and options for staffing including interns and a temporary administrative officer role.
Council member (Speaker 1) told colleagues at a Syracuse City Common Council budget review that the council’s travel, training and development line will remain available for members and staff and said she would personally absorb some training costs while staff searches continue.
The discussion on pages 58–60 of the budget document covered several staffing and operating items, including a suggestion to add roughly $15,000 to $30,000 to the professional services line for consultants to assist with midterm transfers, audits and budget review. “I was definitely looking this year, this budget year to do some personal development training with the staffs,” Council member (Speaker 1) said. “So that’s why I’m keeping the line what it is and not increases or anything anymore.”
The council reviewed a page that lists flat rates for council positions and staff. Council member (Speaker 1) noted those rates are set “by local law” and pointed members to the page showing the council president, at-large counselor and other positions. She raised the temporary service administrative officer position currently held by “Carmelita,” and said an incoming council president could opt to add another part-time or full-time staffer. “If you notice, that there are 2 over 2 positions there, which was like total 60,” Council member (Speaker 1) said, adding the role is on a Grade 12 pay grade she estimated “something like 54 to 62 or whatever” (figure not specified in the document).
On the larger professional services line, Council member (Speaker 1) argued the council lacks the staff support other municipalities have and recommended budgeting for outside consultants or temporary support. “You guys like literally only have really me and Brian and Nader, and we got our own separate jobs that we’re doing,” she said. She suggested the council consider adding an annual professional services line at midyear to help with audits and transfers.
Council member (Speaker 2) asked whether travel and training funds covered staff as well as councilors. Council member (Speaker 1) confirmed staff are included. A staff member (Speaker 3) described prior internship arrangements and said the council had hosted two or three interns in the past year, including a student who attended Oswego State College, and that the council may take on additional interns.
No formal motions or votes were recorded in the transcript excerpt. The discussion concluded with Council member (Speaker 1) asking councilors to review the pages and with an indication that she and staff would follow up on the professional services and staffing questions.
Ending: Council member (Speaker 1) said she would raise the professional services proposal with colleagues and follow up offline about the temporary administrative position and any proposed changes to staffing levels. If the council pursues added consultant support or new positions, those changes would return to the council for formal consideration and any required ordinance or budget amendment.
