In early October, the mayors of Albany and Troy released their 2015 budget proposals. The road from introduction to enactment has been a rocky one for both municipalities.
It's the last day lawmakers can take action on the spending plans. The Albany Common Council gets together tonight in hopes of passing Mayor Kathy Sheehan's first budget, with a few amendments, according to 10th Ward Council Member Leah Golby. "I'm really grateful that we managed to get eight council members the day after Thanksgiving to city hall. A lot of people travel for Thanksgiving, but eight of us managed to make it there so that we could re-introduce an ordinance to adopt a budget."
Sheehan's $176.3 million package includes a real property tax increase in the neighborhood of $780,000, a 1.4 percent hike. Golby explains Frank Commisso Jr., the sponsor of the previous ordinance to adopt the budget, withdrew it from consideration.
According to the Times Union, council president Carolyn McLaughlin has objected to Mayor Sheehan's style as she introduced her first budget, telling the paper the mayor has shown a pattern of not communicating with the council. Golby disagrees. "In fact, the current administration has been more forthcoming with information to the council than my experience in the previous four years. The mayor has come before the council numerous times, not required by the city charter, to discuss various proposals that she has."
McLaughlin could not be reached for comment.
Across the Hudson, it's down to the wire for the city of Troy's proposed $66.1 million spending plan for 2015. District 1 councilman Jim Gordon says there are serious concerns involving: "...deficit and budget gaps moving forward in future years, cause by financial mismanagement within the city. These items have been brought to the light to us by the New York State Comptroller's office. So that's why this budget process has been a little bit drawn out and gotten a little bit strenuous at times."
Mayor Lou Rosamilia was not available for comment. His proposal will hike taxes 3-point-8 percent.
So what are the chances the budget issues will be resolved? Leah Golby speaks to Albany: "There will be amendments tonight. Council member Conti introduced the new budget ordinance that does include the crossing guard amendment, and my understanding is that there will be at least one other amendment, and maybe a few other amendments tonight."
The "crossing guard amendment" would fund the 60-strong force and give them a pay raise from $13.32 per hour to $14.50. Mayor Sheehan had called for outsourcing their work.
Jim Gordon speaks to Troy: "From what I believe is going to happen, I think the budget is not going to pass. I think it's going to fail. And that's because of a lack of participation and cooperation between members of the council and members of the administration and the mayor's office.”
Gordon says everyone needs to work together to achieve a better and clearer picture of city finances and address the concerns that have been raised.
Both Albany and Troy councils meet this evening. Should either group fail to pass a new spending plan, the budget proposed by the mayor would be adopted automatically, "as is."
