SYRACUSE, N.Y. — Syracuse Mayor Ben Walsh awarded bonuses mostly of $2,000 or $1500 to some of the top members of his administration including Police Chief Joe Cecile, Finance Commissioner Mike Cannizzaro and Water Commissioner Robert Brandt. The bonuses were described as “merit-based” or “discretionary”. They come on top of 3% Cost of Living Adjustment for the non-union workers and significant pay grade elevations of twenty to forty percent for staff members.
Sources inside City Hall say the bonuses are unusual in Syracuse city government over time. Predecessors to Mayor Walsh did not utilize them.
City records show the payments were made in three groups earlier in 2025. The first made on February 26th to 26 people, totaling $41,500. The second was on April 30th to six people totaling $9500. The third made on July 17th to five more people totaling $9500…