SYRACUSE, NY — Sharon Owens is proposing a $354.5 million general fund budget in her first spending plan as mayor, with no property tax increase but a modest rise in water rates and a significant use of reserves.
The proposal would keep property taxes flat while increasing water rates by 4%. It also calls for using $23.9 million from the city’s fund balance, leaving roughly $120 million in reserves for future years.
The plan is now in the hands of the Syracuse Common Council, where community members had a chance Wednesday night to weigh in before any final decisions are made…