Disagreement Over Tax Revenue in Binghamton Budget

10/16/2012 (Updated 11:44:23 PM)

(Source: Kate Thornton)

Tensions were high at the Binghamton City Council budget hearing Monday when discussing how to appropriate a $333,401 projected sales tax revenue from Broome County.

Members of council and Mayor Matt Ryan were not seeing eye to eye as to how to use the $333,401 dollars.

Ryan proposed to the board to restore three cuts made in the budget.

Those three requests are: restoring a code enforcement position, 12 smartphones for the code enforcement department, and a $2 raise to a clerk in the mayor's office.

City Council President Teri Rennia said she feels that money should go towards the budget to lower the tax levy, which currently is 7.1%.

According to Rennia, the board can't authorize appropriation from the general fund, but the mayor can.  "We don't know if we're going to budget for the full $333,401 yet," said Rennia.

"The mayor presented an ultimatum that he would consider new revenues in exchange for the restoration of the cuts made," said Rennia.

"I'm asking for these simple things which I think will allow our city government to be the best it can be," said Mayor Ryan.

Rennia said the board will continue to work hard  to do right by their constituents.

"There isn't a department in the city that hasn't been affected by this budget," said Rennia.

City Council will hold one last budget hearing on Wednesday that will focus on revenues. 

A public hearing on the budget is scheduled for Monday, October 22nd.