[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,74,86,98],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":44,"_46":47,"_48":49,"_50":51,"_52":53,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":59,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":65,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},"mediaId",6580160,"mediaKeyId","3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9","parentId",3152003,"title","Animal advocates urge Syracuse to pair shelter plans with low-cost spay/neuter and cat services","audioSeconds",0,"startMs",2409000,"endMs","viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9&start=2409&end=2409","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9/thumbnail_2409000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6580160/Syracuse-City/Onondaga-County/New-York/Animal-advocates-urge-Syracuse-to-pair-shelter-plans-with-low-cost-spayneuter-and-cat-services","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580160-07b909e1ae4e9b919a66a1942779a68c/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168805&Signature=UBki84nD-rh-ZPfysIFvxZ2WIXIhMkNiQsL-KZUJWHi7DrgrpWC1JUvqD~BDBhgyKZd6COFi-oCdaHAhv-bt6z43nRf9iG33P3UDMc3FehfHUP-boRjrDYYXFwuQBCylCZe~yRZbkMFaFfijPSfoNrDw~XLd6KiQgOWOgX0KCWR-OqLISLgDrInOPF~0Hd291lfW8zBCXNxB6D3Jbw5jgN~ce8TDETaF7djnq2DkXLyIpn2rlOBdk7jWIJlgo28kYIpE8WvgKN8ydBC2hjGLhrhgVTJWDLPWxvaaZ6c8UVpKxe9ujUcZvyCRyPnamXuvoomcJBq1XaUzQvh06EIL~Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Syracuse, NY","date","2025-04-29T22:21:22.52Z","article","An animal-welfare speaker asked the council to pair any new kennel or shelter plans for dogs with low-cost spay/neuter services and attention to cats, saying building additional kennel space without addressing the root causes of pet overpopulation will not solve the city's problem.

Why it matters: Public commenters said the city has many low-income pet owners, a sizable number of unowned feral animals, and limited low-cost veterinary services. Those conditions, they said, mean a shelter alone could become a short-term holding facility rather than a durable solution.

Karen Anzak, who identified herself as a member of the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse and the CMY Cat Coalition, said that although a kennel with 40 to 80 spaces has been discussed, a larger facility could hold hundreds of animals and still not address overpopulation. \"You could have 400 to 800 spaces for the kennel and you're just band aiding the problem,\" Anzak said. She and other advocates urged the city to invest in low-cost spay/neuter clinics and to include cat services in planning, not only dog control.

Anzak said Animal Alliance and partner groups have offered to work with the city on building guidance and low-cost clinic models and requested that shelter design and operations involve organizations experienced with shelters. The council did not take action at the close of the hearing.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Public Hearing: Annual City Estimate Fiscal Year 2025-2026, Tuesday April 29th, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Members of the Animal Alliance of Greater Syracuse and CMY Cat Coalition told the council that building a kennel without low-cost spay/neuter and cat services would be a short-term fix and urged the city to consult experienced shelter operators.","taxTitle","Syracuse City, Onondaga County, New York","taxId",3762,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":75,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":76,"_41":77,"_43":78,"_45":79,"_46":80,"_48":81,"_50":82,"_52":83,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":84,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":85,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6580164,"Caller urges Syracuse to pause funding for TNT amid alleged conflicts of interest and tax-reporting questions",313,922000,1235000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9&start=922&end=1235","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9/thumbnail_922000.jpg","/articles/6580164/Syracuse-City/Onondaga-County/New-York/Caller-urges-Syracuse-to-pause-funding-for-TNT-amid-alleged-conflicts-of-interest-and-tax-reporting-questions","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580164-2515f644dc60f46f1791e35a72e680c4/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168805&Signature=MNzPMMQwuYNMDMpXpVwuw3X8n7f1KUT9D688EKpe6NIw2y7Pl0p36roUrD6V73hX1VEZ4G9jViSdGSrCCPzA5SWwVeb0p8BcALh4TlmPYUxDSvgfx004wmUaPy9U6lSMiWuPF~LGfPWdarVbOgEIfvKP~OF59QFwaV9zyEDgh3-xw6qZLNgPxxl52fAGV2t9dmU-nkV5HbU8i~xBLH0eHEfvzewC4qzkoNCyqI732xtKVltVNrdF1WDYGTPVbLbUzVSgFzlgREcwQeluYDZO-83vYKYRvcPAfphWIO10MljhF6xYrcDoN3ndnydDsaVaJzAsPKJGlvqWpqLpALZzFw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Charles Matlock, a public commenter, urged the City of Syracuse to pause future funding for an organization referred to repeatedly in testimony as \"TNT\" until the group provides documentation on conflicts of interest and its tax filings.

Why it matters: Matlock told the council that TNT board members in some districts receive funds the group allocates to the same districts, which he described as a conflict of interest. He said repeated requests for TNT's conflict-of-interest policy went unanswered and that the organization may have filed an IRS form for very small nonprofits despite receiving multiple city payments.

\"I am here today as a concerned citizen to urge the city of Syracuse to pause our funding, our further funding to Tomorrow Neighborhoods Today until the organization is held accountable to the community,\" Matlock said. He added that he had not been provided with TNT's conflict-of-interest policy and alleged that \"TNT board members are often the primary recipients of the funds allocated to their own districts.\"

Matlock said TNT appeared to have filed a 990-N form (an IRS notice for very small organizations) but that, based on his review of staffing and repeated city funding, \"it seems like they're receiving more than that.\" He characterized the situation as potentially unlawful and said he had \"evidence\" to support his concerns.

Matlock asked the council to halt further funding until TNT can demonstrate a clear conflict-of-interest policy and transparent accounting. The hearing record contains these public comments; the council did not take action at the close of the hearing.","A public commenter urged the city to suspend further funding for TNT (referred to in testimony as a neighborhood organization) until the group addresses alleged conflicts of interest and clarifies its IRS filing status.",{"_33":87,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":88,"_41":89,"_43":90,"_45":91,"_46":92,"_48":93,"_50":94,"_52":95,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":96,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":97,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6580169,"Multiple speakers raise procurement and spending concerns over Syracuse payroll modernization and IT contracts",1824,629000,2453000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9&start=629&end=2453","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9/thumbnail_629000.jpg","/articles/6580169/Syracuse-City/Onondaga-County/New-York/Multiple-speakers-raise-procurement-and-spending-concerns-over-Syracuse-payroll-modernization-and-IT-contracts","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580169-054375f13952c53e924e365dc410396f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168805&Signature=EEF5ySXeWYm6yOErEEDXLkyhMlWzVAAIOW9X0uB1iThff3Jh0yFLz1ev0j3AmAFQ3ZF3z0-F3PNt6Qje2zZ2zj43cMJmtSBGHwYMzubCSfl6K9Nj9-0VOEdb0OF21x3CY8yHTnSnt~skuZnIdsFTJO8ReTR~trDDn2MmtquitiWgErJPfG2u2BugQlnB5z6IwEe5ZqwSBtEIuq9i8wmbYHOhJvGcAsDEZLAd-YVLbv0l-FITnZ94hlcZOYb96-0tWPi-KRauY5H-hn1H9lOZPWF5-v~K0JPWrOuAWSkGTK4CQi0X9~TaNFTobeZtMywt4djjNuWum5L~SA8UcTV~Rw__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Several public commenters at the Syracuse Common Council hearing urged the council to investigate city IT spending, vendor selection and contracts tied to a payroll modernization project.

Why it matters: Commenters alleged the city has greatly increased IT spending in recent years, that procurement and subcontracting around the payroll modernization project were opaque, and that local businesses were excluded from meaningful participation. The payroll modernization work and associated contract services represent millions in potential city spending and implicate procurement oversight.

Susan Fahrenkrug, who identified herself as \"the owner and president of Advanced IT\" and said she is \"also the whistleblower,\" described a sequence of procurement decisions she said left her firm excluded from the payroll modernization project after initial collaboration. \"The city got a $2,000,000 grant from the state for a software upgrade for timekeeping, scheduling, payroll and HR,\" Fahrenkrug said. She told the council the city initially attempted to perform upgrades internally, then solicited an RFP that CherryRoad Technology won for early phases, and later awarded additional contracts to subcontractors that excluded Advanced IT.

Other speakers described rapid growth in IT budget lines and asked for clearer itemized spending. Jody McDonald summarized historical equipment spending and said the equipment line jumped from roughly $28,000 per year (2010\u001014) to about $493,000 in 2015, and again to roughly $1,000,000 in 2020. \"If the City is not spending the money on hardware or servers, then what is it spending it on?\" she asked.

Kyle Warford, who identified himself as an IT professional, said the payroll modernization project coincided with a jump in contract services and cited a figure he attributed to an IT budget meeting: \"Since the payroll modernization project, per Dave ProAct cost the City $8,000,000. He said that during the IT budget meeting,\" Warford said. Warford urged the council to require an itemized breakdown of IT spending.

Several commenters questioned the qualifications of some subcontractors. Michael Aminat said Deer Island Bait Company, a vendor he described as having closed its retail business in 2021, received city work in 2023 despite lacking local business insurance at the time. He asked who reviewed vendor qualifications and whether waiving the bid process exposed the city to risk.

Advanced IT representatives also said the city encouraged a collaboration with a large firm that ultimately supplanted Advanced IT as a contractor. Adam Empey said Advanced IT was approached as a potential collaborator and then excluded when the city awarded the payroll modernization contract to CherryRoad Technology.

Speakers asked the council to demand oversight, itemized spending and public answers on procurement decisions; no formal action was taken at the hearing.","Several residents and local IT firms told the council they are concerned about the city's IT spending, contractor selection on a payroll modernization project and contracts awarded to out-of-area vendors.",{"_33":99,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":100,"_41":101,"_43":102,"_45":103,"_46":104,"_48":105,"_50":106,"_52":107,"_54":55,"_56":57,"_58":108,"_60":61,"_62":63,"_64":109,"_66":67,"_68":69,"_70":67,"_71":72,"_73":72},6580173,"Public commenters urge Syracuse council to cut spending, question proposed tax increase and school outsourcing",2302,288000,2590000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9&start=288&end=2590","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/3152003-36ba00c33783a0343a4ea40d0b04f2d9/thumbnail_288000.jpg","/articles/6580173/Syracuse-City/Onondaga-County/New-York/Public-commenters-urge-Syracuse-council-to-cut-spending-question-proposed-tax-increase-and-school-outsourcing","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6580173-513ad29369af91de91343818962d41b9/orig.mp4?Expires=1771168805&Signature=Z1T5qQWXgW9YSEp78IPHbwvAjzZBIlPWtRi~S-2M7PxIaJCIFQSnGuLjHugbYlUGH4tqLoHtYKmIj70KicbtHhNfm1sciucgthY37gFlBWhYY98K2EzpIez0VLijAzWNQ1bqrVIuWcHzchuOdeFXytbBkS92k2PFym~My5WglQtKjvbn86ncA4DHDJuTU-FMTDxbVwOrzO0gQL5GtsTuDuEiUqvzDTqdQHj5O3jMxhN~H8ZpqWYodXc5b2-douKVo3Z6K~6R4fcpStBcVOkqNEjH23wONQ69uiOLR8rq7ysTLyHINfsNyV0gjxvnBNvSxXDTWtnLV74M8uZKslFzsA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Speakers at a Syracuse Common Council public hearing on the City of Syracuse and Syracuse City School District annual estimate urged council members to reject proposed tax and fee increases and to cut or reallocate spending toward frontline services and schools.

Why it matters: The council is considering an annual estimate for the city and the Syracuse City School District for the fiscal period that begins Jan. 1, 2025. Commenters said the proposed increases, use of reserves and large contract line items risk long-term fiscal sustainability and fail to address unmet basic services for residents.

Several residents criticized rising municipal costs and the budget's reliance on reserves. \"This council needs to do its job, cut the budget and balance it without any tax or fee increases,\" said Tom Babylon, a 22-year city resident. Babylon added the city has implemented multiple recent fee and tax increases and that a projected $27,000,000 deficit remains even after proposed revenue changes.

Other speakers pressed the council to examine large outsourced expenses in the school district budget. Rex Giadarno, who identified himself by address, said the district budget shows a jump for \"land building rental currently 849,000 projected next year 8,700,000.0,\" calling the change a \"tenfold increase.\" Giadarno also pointed to transportation costs, which he said rose about 13% to \"nearly $38,000,000,\" and argued money should be redirected to classroom-facing staff such as teachers and social workers.

Hannah Ehrenreich urged the council to identify recurring revenue sources to replace a one-time use of $27,000,000 in reserves now proposed to balance the budget. \"If it's 27,000,000 this year, where is the 27,000,000 coming from next year?\" she asked.

Several commenters said city services are not being delivered consistently. Jackie Lassonde, president of the South Side Coalition for Justice, said code enforcement and trash pickup remain uneven in South Side neighborhoods, describing ongoing rodent and debris problems. Resident Daniel Ledanski said enforcement of parking and property codes is weak despite repeated reports.

Other speakers said large planned capital items and accounting choices mask the city's structural gap between expenses and revenues. Tim Rudd argued that using long-term financing for short-lived items and counting one-time federal coronavirus relief funds (ARPA) as recurring revenue makes the long-term fiscal picture look better than it is. \"Punting that cost into the future\" risks exacerbating the structural gap, he said.

Speakers also raised school-specific items beyond large contract costs. Giadarno and others asked for more funding for elementary music programs, school sports uniforms and small but visible items such as additional water bottle fillers and bike racks at schools.

The public hearing closed without a vote; the legislation will be considered in the council's regular order of business.

Speakers quoted in this piece spoke during the public hearing portion of the meeting; their remarks reflect public comment, not council action.","Speakers at a Syracuse Common Council public hearing criticized a proposed property tax increase and the city's budget choices, urging cuts, greater transparency, and reinvestment in frontline school services and local code enforcement.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Animal advocates urge Syracuse to pair shelter plans with low-cost spay/neuter and cat services

Caller urges Syracuse to pause funding for TNT amid alleged conflicts of interest and tax-reporting questions

Multiple speakers raise procurement and spending concerns over Syracuse payroll modernization and IT contracts

Public commenters urge Syracuse council to cut spending, question proposed tax increase and school outsourcing