The Binghamton City Council voted 5–0 July 3 to adopt Introductory Resolution R25‑42, authorizing the FY51 Annual Action Plan and the 2025 five‑year consolidated plan as amended. The measure packages prior committee changes to federal Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and related HUD entitlement allocations, and appends an updated consolidated plan that incorporates data and targeting edits discussed at the meeting.

During a committee of the whole, council members considered and voted on multiple line‑item adjustments to the FY51 HUD entitlement budget. Key changes included reducing Boys & Girls Club summer program funding by $5,000 and the teen center by $5,000, while increasing the Boys & Girls Club after‑hours teen program by $20,000. The Broome County Urban League after‑school program was cut by $10,000, CARES backpack funding was reduced by $15,000, and VINES youth employment was reduced by $15,000. Several human‑services items were also changed: Mothers & Babies and the NOMA Community Center were each cut by $10,000; opioid addiction recovery funding was increased by $5,000; STACK economic crisis prevention was increased by $6,240; Triple City's makerspace was increased by $15,000; and the YMCA emergency housing program was increased by $13,760.

There was debate over roof‑replacement funding. A motion was made in committee regarding the Phelps Mansion roof; Council member Middleton said, “I wish we didn't have more money,” explaining the vote was driven by prioritizing need. Council later reinstated CDAC (Community Development Advisory Committee) recommendations to fund the American Legion roof replacement (+$70,000) and to increase the STACK roof replacement (+$50,000) rather than the Phelps Mansion allocation. Council member Hotchkiss said, “I personally think the American Legion's mission is more aligned and appropriate for CDBG funds,” during that exchange.

The council also voted to reduce the demolition line by $57,330 and lower the lead risk assessment line by $4,804. Many of the committee votes on individual line items were recorded as 4–0 (two council members were absent for those roll calls). One contested human‑services item, a $10,000 increase to Greater Good grocery, prompted a recusal discussion. A motion allowing Council member Middleton to recuse was approved; when the Greater Good item was taken up after the executive session, Middleton abstained from that vote and the increase passed with an abstention recorded.

Separately, Acting finance committee chair Rebecca Matt Grama reviewed substantive edits to the five‑year consolidated plan, including the removal of an outdated general reference to the 2014 comprehensive plan, incorporation of data from the Broome County 2024 housing needs assessment, stronger emphasis on deeply affordable housing production for extremely low‑income and very low‑income households, and new geographic targeting to prioritize areas with high percentages of low‑ and moderate‑income households (examples referenced included Southside East, downtown, and North Corners). Grama described efforts to replace anecdotal language with specific cited data and to correct outdated references to local homeless‑coalition administration and coordinated entry structures.

Council and staff acknowledged remaining data gaps in the plan appendices (notably HMIS/PIT/HIC and public housing inventory details). Staff said they are collecting missing tables and awaiting responses from the public housing authority and other providers; budget totals shown in the plan will be tied to the appended adopted budget.

After committee work and closing the pages that had been opened, the full council adopted the amended resolution by roll call. The final adoption vote on R25‑42 was 5–0 (Council members Middleton, Rathmell, Madovetsky, Hotchkiss and President Dunton voting Aye; Council members Murray and Kavanaugh recorded as absent at roll calls). The council adjourned following the vote.

Votes at a glance

- Introductory Resolution R25‑42 (FY51 Annual Action Plan and 2025 five‑year consolidated plan), as amended — Adopted, roll call 5–0.
- Recusal motion to permit Council member Middleton to recuse from the Greater Good Grocery vote — Approved (recorded 4–0 at the time of the recusal motion). Middleton later abstained on the Greater Good Grocery line when that item was taken up and the increase passed with the abstention recorded.

The council directed staff to finalize the plan with the appended budget and the data tables to be inserted when received; staff indicated a finalized tracked‑changes version would be circulated for review.