Syracuse council votes to prevent firefighter staffing cuts, but mayor will ignore extra funds

SYRACUSE, N.Y. – The Syracuse Common Council today amended the city budget by adding $1.6 million to keep firefighter staffing at the current level, a change Mayor Stephanie Miner plans to ignore as she cuts staffing by four positions per shift.

Fire department cuts emerged as the most controversial element of Miner’s proposed $298.8 million city budget, prompting a series of protests from firefighters and their supporters. Miner and her fire chief, Paul Linnertz, plan to reduce the number of city firefighters on duty from 69 to 65 per shift.

Councilors voted unanimously to add $1.6 million for firefighter salaries, but Miner is not obligated to spend the money. Bill Ryan, her chief of staff, said the mayor will not use the funds.

Councilors did not appropriate money for Fire Station No. 7, which Miner plans to close as part of the consolidation, but they said they will urge the administration to sell bonds to repair the facility rather than close it.

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