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A
B
A
B
A
Okay,
thank
you
Mr
clerk
to
my
city,
council,
colleagues,
city
hall,
employees
and
fellow
residents
joining
us
here
and
from
home
good
afternoon.
My
name
is
Phil
Strawn
city
council,
president
representative
binghamton's,
sixth
district.
It's
my
pleasure
to
welcome
you
today
for
mayor
Jared,
Graham's,
2023
budget
address.
A
His
actions
have
followed
what
he
said
in
his
inaugural
speech
and
what
he
talked
about
since
taking
office
have
made
clear
his
priorities.
I
think
to
Residents
have
seen
unprecedented
investments
in
public
safety
and
critical
upgrades
in
neighborhood
streets
and
parks.
We've
seen
a
proactive
approach
in
Economic
Development
code
and
housing
and
a
commitment
to
deliver
delivering
results
for
binghamton's
families.
A
C
Good
afternoon,
everyone,
members
of
city,
council,
City
staff,
special
guests,
members
of
the
public,
those
watching
at
home
as
I
said
good
afternoon.
The
budget
process
is
the
most
time-consuming
annual
project.
Any
mayor
will
undertake
there's
no
more
important
role
for
City
Council
Members
than
the
oversight
and
stewardship
of
how
we
spend
taxpayer
dollars
thousands
of
budget
lines.
Hundreds
of
touch
decisions.
C
The
2023
budget,
is
at
its
core
a
plan,
a
road
map
for
how
we
will
fund
vital
services.
Our
residents
need
build
the
projects
that
our
community
deserves,
but
budgets
also
make
a
statement.
The
one
I
will
present
this
afternoon
is
reflective
of
binghamton's
priorities
and
values,
not
just
mine,
but
of
the
thousands
of
residents
who
call
this
place
home.
C
Today's
budget
message
will
speak
frankly
about
the
challenges
we
face
where
we're
headed
financially
in
the
coming
year,
the
difficult
decisions
that
must
be
made
to
secure
a
sound
financial
future
for
the
city.
The
last
eight
months
have
left
a
lot
for
Binghamton
residents
to
talk
about,
and
every
corner
of
the
city.
Our
constituents
are
seeing
results.
C
On
the
horizon,
we've
made
unprecedented
investments
in
public
safety,
doubling
down
on
the
single
most
important
service.
Any
local
government
can
provide
its
citizens,
we've
updated
our
approach
to
code
enforcement
and
neighborhood
revitalization
and
are
energizing
our
downtown
Arts
District
with
transformative
streetscape
improvements.
C
C
The
general
fund
budget
is
what
directly
impacts
everyone's
property
tax
rate
and
where
most
city
services
reside
and
the
general
fund,
as
of
today,
has
a
healthy
15.6
million
dollar
fund
balance.
The
city's
largest
source
of
Revenue
to
support
those
expenditures
is
local
property
taxes
at
33.9
million
dollars
in
2023
and
at
14.5
million
dollars.
Sales
tax
is
the
city's
second
highest
source
of
Revenue
state
aid
for
next
year
will
remain
flat
at
10.2
million
dollars
and,
although
we
anticipate
binghamton's
first
adult
use,
Cannabis
stores
will
open
in
2023.
C
C
C
Let's
talk
about
some
specific
departments
right
now,
Binghamton
is
at
a
decision
Point
as
it
relates
to
crime
and
Public
Safety
Mayors
Across
America
are
facing
Rising
crime
rates
in
their
cities
and
shrinking
resources
to
address
things
like
Mental
Health.
The
same
time.
Law
enforcement
agencies
everywhere
are
struggling
to
retain
and
recruit
members.
Maintaining
police
Staffing
levels
is
one
of
our
City's
most
pressing
challenges.
C
Today,
the
Binghamton
police
department
has
19
vacancies
due
to
retirements
and
career
changes,
specialized
details
like
the
community
response
team
and
special
investigations
unit.
They
do
essential
work,
but
they
pull
officers
off
the
beat,
leaving
a
smaller
pool
of
officers
available
for
the
Patrol
Division
compared
to
say
30
years
ago.
C
It's
not
just
urban
areas
that
are
affected
our
community.
What
happens
in
Binghamton
has
consequences
that
extend
beyond
city
limits,
as
it
relates
to
crime
the
landscape
here
and
how
we
choose
to
respond
to
it
directly,
impacts
communities
throughout
Broome,
County
and
the
Southern
Tier
I
view
this
responsibility
seriously,
and
it's
not
one
I
will
shy
away
from
our
future
will
come
down
to
one
of
two
choices:
either
we
accept
this
as
the
new
status
quo,
or
we
respond
in
kind
and
meet
our
challenges
with
action,
and,
let
me
be
clear:
Binghamton
chooses
action.
C
C
That
starts
with
filling
every
vacant
position
in
the
Binghamton
police
department
and
being
aggressive
in
recruiting
a
broad
and
diverse
candidate
pool
in
a
good
scenario.
The
next
Police
test
will
yield
19
strong
candidates
who
will
bring
the
Binghamton
Police
Department
back
to
full
Staffing.
In
a
best
case
scenario,
the
tests
will
yield
even
more
quality
candidates
worthy
of
higher
and
if
we
can
hire
them,
we
should
I'm
pleased
to
announce
that
binghamton's
2023
budget
adds
three
new
police
positions,
partly
funded
by
grants.
C
These
positions
would
bring
the
size
of
the
police
department
to
145
sworn
members,
which
is
the
largest
in
more
than
a
decade.
We
know
the
Continuum
of
Public
Safety
is
not
limited
to
police
on
the
street.
It's
not
as
simple
as
more
cops
equal,
less
crime,
but
Staffing
levels
are
the
foundation
of
a
strong
Police
Department.
C
A
fully
staffed
Department
means
more
resources
for
community
policing.
Fewer
Patrol
shifts
that
are
stressed
to
then
responding
from
call
to
call
improved
morale
for
officers
and
better
retention,
especially
for
our
most
experienced
officers.
Beyond
Personnel.
In
the
2023
budget
will
continue
to
make
investments
in
other
public
safety
areas,
including
our
support
for
data-driven
21st
century
policing
that
sets
Binghamton
apart
in
Upstate
New
York.
C
Earlier
this
year,
I
announced
the
city
would
allocate
a
million
dollars
to
reduce
gun
violence
in
Binghamton.
The
money
is
supporting
community
policing
efforts
and
other
evidence-based
strategies,
prevention
and
other
enforcement
efforts
through
the
Southern
Tier
crime
analysis,
Center
I've
heard
from
residents
thrilled
to
see
bike
Patrols
in
their
neighborhood
for
the
first
time
ever
and
we're
hopeful
on
another,
a
number
of
different
state
and
federal
grants
that
would
help
fund
new
training,
new
vehicles,
equipment
and
other
resources.
C
We're
aggressive
in
pursuing
these
grants
to
support
not
just
the
police
department
but
to
keep
the
community
safe
without
overburdening
the
taxpayer
for
the
fire
department.
Just
a
few
weeks
ago,
I
welcomed
12
new
Academy
recruits
to
the
Binghamton
Fire
Department.
The
graduating
class
included
four
women
more
than
any
other
class
in
the
history
of
the
fire
department.
That's
a
historic
accomplishment
that
signals
real
progress.
C
The
new
graduates
are
part
of
the
next
generation
of
firefighters,
continuing
a
legacy
of
Public
Service,
while
ushering
the
department
into
a
new
era.
Earlier
this
year,
I
announced
a
one
million
dollar
fund
to
upgrade
and
rehabilitate
the
city's
historic
neighborhood
fire
stations,
the
oldest
of
which
was
built
more
than
120
years
ago.
As
you
can
imagine,
these
buildings
are
in
need
of
significant
rehabilitation
using
American
Rescue
plan
act,
funds
we're
making
an
unprecedented
investment
to
upgrade
these
stations
with
new
roofs,
HVAC
improvements,
renovated
bathrooms
and
bunk
spaces
bring
the
station
up
to
Modern
standards.
C
These
buildings
are
neighborhood
anchors
and
by
working
with
fire
Administration
and
the
firefighter
Union
we're
securing
their
long-term
future
in
those
neighborhoods
and
in
a
few
months,
binghamton's
brand
new
fire
headquarters
will
open
on
Court
Street.
The
9
million
dollar
state-of-the-art
facility
will
support
emergency
response
throughout
the
city,
Revitalize
a
key
downtown
Corridor
and
provide
our
firefighters
with
a
modern
work
environment
they
deserve
in
2023.
The
city
will
invest
14.8
million
dollars,
rebuilding
our
streets,
sidewalks
and
other
critical
infrastructure
infrastructure
is
the
foundation
of
local
jobs
and
commerce.
C
So
it
keeps
residents
and
businesses
moving
new
sidewalks
and
pedestrian
improvements.
Let
kids
safely
walk
to
school,
an
underground
utility
upgrades,
making
sure
make
sure
that
our
families
have
clean
and
safe
drinking
water
and
I'm
pleased
to
announce
that
my
2023
budget
includes
no
increases
in
water
rates
or
sewer
rates.
C
Funding
infrastructure
projects
also
mean
creating
good
paying
construction
jobs
and
more
money
flowing
through
the
local
economy
to
small
businesses
early
next
year.
I
will
co-host
a
regional
infrastructure
Summit
with
a
chamber
of
commerce
to
bring
together
the
public
and
private
sector
working
side
by
side
to
find
Solutions
about
cutting
red
tape,
expanding
our
labor
force
and
securing
vital
state
and
federal
dollars
for
projects
right
in
our
backyard.
Local
municipalities
can
look
to
Binghamton
as
a
regional
leader
and
smart
infrastructure
policy
and
practice.
C
One
of
those
Innovative
areas
is
our
new
pavement
rating
system,
a
technology
called
robotics,
utilizes,
artificial
intelligence
to
map
and
analyze
all
151
miles
of
city
streets.
So
we
can
track
the
ones
in
the
worst
condition,
prioritize
funding
and
get
them
paid
next
year,
we'll
pave
dozens
of
neighborhood
streets
and
thoroughfares,
including
Floral
Ave,
vestalab,
Holland,
Street,
Seminary,
Ave
and
Mill
Street,
just
to
name
a
few.
C
We're
funding
the
second
phase
of
a
transformative
streetscape
improvements
in
our
downtown,
with
2.5
million
dollars
allocated
for
upgrades
on
Washington
Street,
Henry,
Street
and
Water
Street
to
grow
our
walkable
Arts
District
and
we'll
also
begin
designs
to
reimagine
Memorial
Bridge,
which
connects
downtown
and
Riverside
Drive
upgrades
will
enhance
that
bridge,
which
is
at
the
true
Rivers
Greenway,
make
it
safer
and
more
attractive
to
pedestrians
and
cyclists.
This
is
a
historic
piece
of
infrastructure
with
some
of
the
best
views
of
our
two
rivers.
It's
about
time.
C
We
invest
in
it
moving
out
of
parks,
the
city
of
Binghamton
owns
and
maintains
36
parks
and
green
spaces.
These
public
spaces
provide
residents
of
every
age,
healthy
recreational
opportunities
and
make
our
neighborhoods
more
attractive
to
families
looking
to
buy
a
home.
Our
parks
are
some
of
our
most
most
treasured
assets.
We
need
to
care
for
them,
not
just
so
they'll
be
around
the
next
Generation,
but
to
unlock
the
potential
they
have
for
the
city
on
the
South
Side.
C
The
city
will
advance
a
multi-million
dollar
project
to
upgrade
conlon
field,
replacing
the
flood
prone
playing
surface
with
artificial
turf.
The
Bluff
baseball
field
in
MacArthur
Park
has
hosted
special
moments
for
generations
of
kids,
who
look
forward
to
playing
there
every
year
under
the
lights.
But
flooding
issues
have
caused
countless
headaches
for
parts
maintenance
staff
and
led
to
unfavorable
playing
conditions.
A
new
flood
resilient
Turf
will
make
conlon
field
our
Region's
Premier
amateur
baseball
field.
It
can
also
be
used
for
soccer
football,
lacrosse
and
other
sports
in
the
off
season.
C
I've
spoken
to
councilman,
Joe
Burns,
who
is
in
full
support
of
this
investment
in
his
district
and
I
I
will
say
you
know.
A
year
ago,
myself
and
councilman
Burns
happened
to
be
on
opposite
sides
of
a
political
campaign,
but
in
the
months
since
my
taking
office
you
would
never
know
it.
Councilman
Burns
has
demonstrated
a
sincere
approach
to
working
together
and
getting
things
done
on
behalf
of
the
city.
It's
a
true
Mark
of
a
public
servant
and
I'm
likewise
committed
to
helping
the
South
Side
succeed.
So
Joe.
C
Early
last
year,
the
city
changed
the
management
structure
at
the
Ely
Park
Golf
Course
hiring
a
national
golf
management
firm
to
handle
operations.
The
results
have
been
overwhelmingly
positive.
Our
municipal
course
is
on
Pace
to
host
more
than
25
000
rounds
in
2022..
That's
a
significant
number
of
folks
coming
to
the
city
of
Binghamton
and
Ely.
Park
is
safe
to
say
one
of
our
Region's
most
popular
public
outdoor
destinations,
First
Ward
Park,
is
a
very
special
and
historic.
Place
provides
affordable,
accessible
recreational
opportunities
for
our
community,
especially
for
Binghamton
seniors.
C
The
course
says,
even
more
on
lack
potential
and
contributing
to
golf
tourism,
which
is
an
Innovative
marketing
effort
led
by
our
Chamber
of
Commerce.
That
attracts
tour
groups
from
across
the
Northeast
to
play
at
local
golf
courses.
These
golfers
Lodge,
multiple
nights
in
downtown
Binghamton,
spend
their
dollars
at
local
restaurants
and
our
small
businesses
by
making
upgrades
at
Ely
Park
and
supporting
this
new
management
will
continue
to
raise
binghamton's
profile
as
a
Northeast
golf
destination,
provide
residents
in
affordable
public
course
for
generations
to
come
next
year.
C
We'll
also
begin
the
process
of
reimagining
the
Parlor
City
Commons
crumbling
and
utter
underutilized
public
space
in
our
Urban
core
between
Washington
and
State
Street,
new
lighting,
landscaping
and
other
upgrades
will
make
the
safe,
safer.
The
space
safer
and
more
attractive
as
downtown
Binghamton
continues.
Its
revitalization.
Our
public
spaces,
should
build
on
that
momentum,
not
detract
from
it.
Next
year's
budget
also
includes
a
new
Public
Works
position,
dedicated
to
downtown
beautification
and
keeping
things
tidy.
A
busier
downtown
will
mean
a
stronger
local
economy.
We
should
be
doing
more
to
make
sure
downtown
is
a
place.
C
C
Two
new
full-time
positions
in
the
parks,
department
and
new
equipment
will
help
the
city
respond
more
quickly
to
High
Grass
violations
and
other
code
issues
that
are
bringing
down
our
neighborhoods
residents
deserve
to
feel
safe
in
their
neighborhoods
and
in
their
homes
and
right
now
too
many
of
Binghamton
families
live
in
substandard
housing,
a
shortage
of
quality,
affordable
housing
in
Broome
County
courses,
many
residents
to
choose
between
housing
they
can
afford
and
housing
that's
safe.
That's
unacceptable.
C
C
It's
the
most
effective
way
we
can
use
grants
like
arpa
and
other
Federal
entitlement
funds
to
develop
new
housing
in
affordable
housing.
Like
many
of
the
issues
I've
outlined
today,
Binghamton
is
responding
to
a
crisis
that
exceeds
our
borders,
but
it
will
not
sideline
City
Hall.
Instead
we're
taking
a
proactive
role,
helping
fund
plan
and
break
ground
on
these
critical
projects.
Setting
an
example
for
other
municipalities
in
the
process.
C
Binghamton
is
leading
on
other
housing
issues
too.
Last
month,
the
city
welcomist
first
ever
housing
prosecutor
a
new
position.
We
treated
created
to
go
after
slumlords
in
serious,
repeat,
co-defenders,
it's
hard
to
overstate
the
impact
housing
has
on
families,
especially
on
the
outcomes
of
young
people.
Without
a
safe,
decent
place
to
call
home,
it's
nearly
impossible
for
students
to
focus
on
school
or
maintain
a
healthy
lifestyle,
bad
landlords
don't
just
affect
renters.
C
They
hurt
entire
neighborhoods,
dragging
down
surrounding
property
values
and
draining
City
resources
like
code
enforcement
and
police
also
make
it
harder
for
good
landlords
who
play
by
the
rules.
This
new
housing
prosecutor
is
focused
on
holding
these
Bad
actors
accountable.
It's
funded
in
the
2023
budget
heading
up
enforcement
of
the
city's
reformed
lockdown
law,
Prosecuting,
illegal
commercial
activity
and
other
quality
of
life
matters.
C
Each
year.
The
city
stewards,
roughly
3
million
dollars
in
federal
funding
through
the
U.S
Department
of
Housing
and
Urban
Development
to
support
Community
Development
projects,
reduce
poverty
and
homelessness
and
grow,
affordable
housing
opportunities
in
2023.
We
will
advance
more
than
220
thousand
dollars
in
youth
programs
through
that
fund,
157
thousand
dollars
in
park
improvements
and
a
quarter
of
a
million
dollars.
Paving
roads
in
low-income,
neighborhoods,
more
than
245
thousand
dollars
will
be.
Will
support
blighted
property
demolitions,
so
we
can
continue
to
eradicate
dangerous,
dilapidated
eyesores
block
by
block
these
federal
dollars.
C
Help
deliver
some
of
the
most
popular
programs
and
projects
to
Residents
and
ease
the
burden
on
taxpayers.
We
have
to
be
strategic
and
thoughtful
with
these
decisions.
My
thanks
to
members
of
the
citizen
driven
committee,
Our
Community,
Development
Advisory
board
for
their
time,
input
and
guidance
on
this
process.
C
Last
year
we
got
news
that
Binghamton
would
receive
46
million
dollars
in
federal
relief
funds
through
the
American
Recovery
plan
act
also
known
as
arpa
as
far
as
I'm
concerned.
This
was
just
a
down
payment
to
American
cities
like
Binghamton,
after
Decades
of
disinvestment
by
the
federal
government.
C
With
this
funding,
we've
allocated
Millions
for
projects
like
upgrading
the
city's
water
Network
to
ensure
safe
quality
drinking
water.
We
spent
it
on
Hazard
pay
for
essential
workers,
child
care
for
families
living
paycheck
to
paycheck
and
cyber
security
infrastructure.
Here
at
City
Hall,
as
I
mentioned
earlier,
the
city
is
also
using
millions
of
dollars
in
arpa
to
support,
affordable
and
senior
housing
projects
across
the
city.
Six
million
dollars
was
earmarked
for
these
projects.
C
In
previous
years
and
we're
committed
to
making
more
money
available
to
meet
the
demand
and
support
projects
in
the
pipeline,
we'll
also
use
2.5
million
dollars
of
arpa
funding
next
year
to
replace
more
aging,
Water
and
Sewer
infrastructure,
and
today
I'm
announcing
a
new
one
million
dollar
youth
fund
to
support
programs
and
services
for
Binghamton
children
and
teens.
An
investment
in
our
youth
is
a
direct
investment
in
our
future.
C
A
portion
of
the
funds
will
support
a
new
partnership
with
the
Binghamton
City
School
District,
to
provide
trauma-informed
care
and
violence,
intervention
we'll
also
fund
youth,
Mental,
Health,
Services
and
upgrades
at
the
Boys
and
Girls
Club
building
in
the
First
Ward
that
has
served
thousands
of
kids
over
the
years.
The
rest
will
be
set
aside
for
local
non-profits
as
part
of
a
competitive
funding
round
to
develop
and
expand.
C
Youth
Services
think
after
school
and
summer
opportunities,
youth
employment
initiatives
and
stem
programs
for
teens,
the
Community
Foundation
will
serve
as
our
partner
to
effectively
and
efficiently
get
funds
out
the
door
and
into
the
neighborhoods,
where
youth
need
the
most
ask
any
teacher
or
social
worker
parent
or
principal.
The
pandemic
has
affected
our
youth
in
a
deep
way
from
mental
health
to
academic
outcomes
and
behaviors.
Anecdotally,
we've
seen
younger
and
younger
kids
as
perpetrators
of
crime.
C
The
2023
refuse
fund
is
roughly
4
million
dollars.
It's
supported
by
1.5
million
dollars
in
revenue
from
residents
purchasing
those
blue
bags,
but
subsidized
by
2.5
million
dollars
in
million.
Excuse
me,
2.5
million
dollars
from
local
taxpayers
and
contrary
to
popular
belief,
blue
bag
revenue
does
not
cover
the
cost
of
collecting
garbage
in
the
city.
In
fact,
it
covers
less
than
40
percent
of
it.
That
means
Binghamton.
C
Next
year's
budget
calls
for
a
slight
increase
per
blue
bag,
25
cents
to
offset
Rising
costs
of
fuel
and
the
cost
to
actually
manufacture
The
Backs
themselves.
It's
a
first
increase
in
seven
years.
However,
institutional
change
is
needed
in
the
way
that
the
city
pays
for
its
garbage
collection
and
I.
C
Once
a
week
pick
up
and
some
haulers
have
extra
charges
for
yard
waste
collection
in
the
city.
It's
free.
The
issue
is
not
with
our
dedicated
sanitation
Crews,
who
are
working
in
90
degree,
heat
and
Sub-Zero
temperatures,
but
rather
the
issue
is
finding
a
fair
way
of
paying
for
refuse
collection
that
benefits.
Everyone
reduces
our
property
tax
burden
and
ensures
cleaner
neighborhoods
in
all
parts
of
the
city.
I
do
not
have
those
answers
today,
but
I
ran
for
mayor
to
be
a
problem
solver
over
the
next
months
and
years.
C
It
will
be
my
focus
to
deliver
Solutions
on
this
issue.
Finally,
let's
talk
about
property
taxes,
I'm
pleased
to
announce
that
in
2023
the
city
of
Binghamton
will
have
no
property
tax
increase.
In
fact,
it's
a
very
slight
property
tax
decrease
for
both
residential
and
Commercial
Property
Owners,
a
0.01
percent
reduction
for
those
residential
and
Commercial
taxpayers.
C
C
Our
community
has
needs
just
like
any
other
and
as
it's
always
the
case
in
local
government,
the
wish
list
that
we
have
exceeds
what
there's
funding
for
and
too
often
local
leaders
go
to
taxpayers
again
and
again
and
again
asking
them
to
shoulder
more
of
the
cost.
I
simply
won't.
Do
it
the
responsibility
of
both
funding,
essential
services
and
driving
progress
Falls
to
our
Municipal
leaders,
not
the
taxpayers.
It's
on
us
to
make
the
tough
decisions
and
protect
families
from
unreasonable
tax
hikes.
C
C
C
The
2023
budget,
solidifies
binghamton's
reputation
as
a
city
in
action,
the
decisions
Investments
and
projects
outlined
today
are
what
make
Binghamton
the
best
place
to
start
a
small
business,
the
best
place
for
a
young
family
to
build
their
future.
Cities
are
often
pointed
to
for
our
problems,
but
in
Binghamton
we're
making
sure
we're
known
for
our
Solutions
the
meaningful
steps
we're
taking
to
revitalize
our
community
in
cities
like
Binghamton
that
give
residents
the
best
shot
to
climb
out
of
poverty
where
artists
and
entrepreneurs
have
the
greatest
chance
to
thrive.
C
It's
cities
like
ours
that
can
offer
an
affordable
quality
of
life
and
the
most
for
everyone
who
lives
here.
Nearly
a
hundred
million
dollars
preparing
this
budget
I
asked
myself
a
lot
of
questions
about
almost
every
dollar
in
there
does
it
matter
to
a
retiree
on
the
east
side
or
a
single
parent
on
the
south
side.