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City of Oswego Mayor Billy Barlow has proposed his 2020 City operating budget to the Oswego Common Council, his fourth budget as Mayor.
Mayor Barlow’s budget holds the line on taxes, calling for no increases to any taxes or fees and does not use any of the City’s general fund to balance the budget. Last year, Barlow and the Oswego Common Council enacted a 2.2% decrease in taxes, lowering the tax rate to $15.33 per one thousand dollars in assessed value. In early 2019, the city lowered the annual sewer bill for city residents by $200. The 2020 proposed budget is $45,210,488 total, a decrease from the 2019 budget of $46,052,604.
Highlights of Mayor Barlow’s 2020 Proposed Budget Include:
- Continued reduction in OFD, OPD, DPW overtime
- No tax or fee increases
- Continued investment in City buildings and equipment
- Restore city engineer position
- New facility for Oswego YMCA Skatepark & Recreation Center
- $40,000 investment for technology upgrades
“The proposed 2020 operating budget is consistent with our first three budgets by continuing our investment into city infrastructure and equipment, allocating the proper resources to revitalizing our downtown and neighborhoods, focusing on our parks and waterfront, and ensuring we deliver the quality services our residents expect with no increase in cost,” said Mayor Billy Barlow. “Together, we’ve reduced city-wide overtime, cut costs, found efficiencies and improved services. I believe our forward progress reflects our strategic, return-on-investment driven strategy that we’ve adopted and will continue using. Moving forward, I know my proposed 2020 budget ensures continued growth and success for our community as we invest in the proper places and cut waste throughout city government,” Barlow said.
The Oswego Common Council will debate on whether to accept this proposed budget or to amend it by resolution. Any amendments made by the Common Council by resolution to increase or decrease appropriations will affect the proposed tax rate and if any increase in the tax levy equals 5% or more, the amended budget must be presented to a public referendum in November per Local Law. Should the amended budget be voted down in the November election, my proposed budget will become, by default, the 2020 Operating Budget. The Council is expected to vote on the proposed budget on August 26th.
