Syracuse City Council scrutinizes payroll modernization contract spending with Ernst and Young

Concerns over the City of Syracuse's IT spending took center stage during the Public Hearing on the Annual City Estimate for Fiscal Year 2025-2026. IT professionals raised alarms about the city's escalating costs, particularly in relation to the ongoing payroll modernization project, which has reportedly cost the city $8 million since its inception.

Kyle, an IT expert, highlighted discrepancies in the city's budget, noting that while the city is transitioning to cloud services, IT hardware spending continues to rise. "It doesn't seem to make any sense," he stated, pointing out that contract services with firms like Cherry Road and Ernst & Young have significantly increased. He called for a detailed breakdown of IT expenditures to clarify where taxpayer money is being allocated.

Adam Empey, also representing Advanced IT, criticized the city's procurement practices, claiming that smaller businesses are being sidelined in favor of larger corporations. He recounted how Advanced IT was initially engaged to collaborate on the payroll modernization project but was ultimately excluded when the city awarded the contract to Cherry Road Technologies. Empey argued that this approach undermines local businesses and raises questions about the fairness of the city's contracting process.

The discussions underscore a growing concern among city officials and residents about transparency and accountability in municipal spending, particularly as the city navigates significant IT upgrades. As the fiscal year approaches, the call for a clearer understanding of IT costs may prompt further scrutiny of the city's financial decisions.