Syracuse, N.Y. — Mayor Sharon Owens today will deliver her first State of the City address, a chance to outline her plans for her first year.
The city charter directs the mayor to provide an annual update to the Common Council. Those lawmakers will influence Owens’ agenda, starting with her first city budget proposal this spring. Councilors have butted heads at times with Owens when she was deputy to former Mayor Ben Walsh.
Here’s a look at seven of the biggest challenges the new mayor faces in 2026:
Spending priorities
Owens’ priorities and fiscal philosophy will become most apparent in early April, when she delivers to the council the mayor’s proposed budget for 2026-27…