Wanted: Mayor With A
Metropolitan Vision
Mayoral Election 2009
Candidate Responses: Short Answer Questions-50 words or less:
Navigating the Fiscal Crisis:Question: Will you pledge not to raise taxes in your first year in office? If no, why not?
Jennings / While the economy before us is challenging and the city’s fiscal condition needs to be examined, I will commit to this: my administration will not hide behind fees and other hidden taxes that are buried in use, charges, and water rates. The taxpayers deserve transparency and need to know the true cost of government. If we need a property tax increase, then property taxes will be increased. If we need an increase in water or sewer rates, then water or sewer rates will be increased. Property tax increases will not be “hidden” in other service areas in my administration.
Kimatian / Yes.
Miner / This will depend greatly on the city’s financial outlook as we prepare the FY2011-12 budget. I think it would be premature and disingenuous to make any such pledge this far in advance regarding tax rates before there is more information available. Taxation is but one tool at our disposal for providing
quality services.
Question: What programs and services will you consider reducing City funding support for?
Jennings / No response
Kimatian / Only for services that can be delivered in a more efficient manner otherwise.
Miner / Once again this will depend in large part on the city’s financial outlook as well as current need. If we can achieve greater efficiency in city operations and tap into new funding opportunities then we may have the ability to go without cutting programs and services.
Question: What programs and services will you not consider reducing City funding support for?
Jennings / Police, fire, Department of Public Works and education. However, we will look to cut programs and services that are redundant or could be provided by another government agency – within or without the city.
Kimatian / No reduction where safety and security of citizens are at stake. Reductions would only
be for services that can be otherwise delivered.
Miner / Certainly, I will be driven to maintain a strong level of service in areas that I have identified as core services and high priority areas. However, as we deal with our financial challenges and begin to remake the city government into a more innovative and efficient operation there are no services or programs I will not consider when making decisions on how we can improve.
Question: What services and programs would you consider consolidating internally and/or with external governments as a means to cost savings?
Jennings / In these trying economic times, every program and service will be thoroughly examined for possible consolidation. The process will be fair and consistent. Our goal would be to reduce costs without reducing the level of service. Preliminarily I believe that coordinating our purchase and economic development departments with that of county government is a logical first step.
Kimatian / Economic Development, Parks, Aviation and Transportation, Purchasing, Informational Systems and Research.
Miner / Internally, I am interested in exploring how we might be able to consolidate some fiscal operations with the Syracuse City School District. Externally, I would like to pursue what arrangements might be made with contiguous towns and villages to “sell” them professional fire protection services.
Question: What level of funding do you recommend the City should have in a reserve fund?
Jennings / A reserve fund serves many purposes. First, it is a rainy day fund when times are tough and there is a short-term problem or deficit like the one we are experiencing now. Secondly: it helps with bond investors by signifying the city’s financial strength. Thirdly: there is a balance between holding on to our taxpayers’ money and the instability of future year’s finances by not having a reserve. Accordingly, there is a balance in evaluating an appropriate reserve that is based on the facts and current circumstances.
Kimatian / 10% of budget
Miner / I believe the City should work under the guidelines set by the Office of the New York State Comptroller to determine the correct and responsible formula for the reserve fund in order to address the needs of the current fiscal situation and future fiscal considerations.
Question: What are your priorities with regard to capital investment?
Jennings / In this trying time while construction costs are a little lower, I would work to ensure a continued investment into the repair of the city’s deteriorating water infrastructure. After that, my list of priorities would include: improving the city’s inner core, promoting high density/mixed-use development where appropriate; the elimination or conversion of abandoned or outmoded buildings, the protection and creation of open spaces.
Kimatian / Priority will be given to investments that affect the safety and health of residents.
Miner / Conducting maintenance and making improvements to infrastructure that will save money over the long-term while also potentially providing environmental benefits. The city’s water and sewer systems are in dire need of more comprehensive and robust maintenance.
Question: How will you prioritize City projects for consideration for stimulus funding?
Jennings / I will assess projects based on their long-term impact for city taxpayers, including, but not limited to, our water infrastructure and public works projects.
Kimatian / Priority factors will be: (1) Benefit to taxpayers, (2) any leveraged return as a result of the investment, (3) whether the project would be difficult to fund otherwise, (4) the lasting impact and longevity of the project, and (5) immediate impact on employment and the local economy.
Miner / While much of the stimulus finding will be marked for appropriation before the end of this year, I would focus on using stimulus funds to leverage other funding sources in order to save city dollars while also moving the city’s priorities forward. Using stimulus funds to relieve the stress on the general fund and provide a local return on investment will be critical.
Question: In 2010, the County will adopt a new Sales Tax distribution. What is your position with regard to the City’s fair allocation of County sales taxes?
Jennings / The city is the economic center of the region, and accordingly, must be allocated its fair share. I would look to base the sales tax allocation on several factors, not just population. The continued investment in Syracuse will benefit the county and the region.
Kimatian / City must maintain its current share and increase the allocation for dedicated purposes that would be a benefit to both City and County residents.
Miner / The City must continue to work closely with the County to achieve a fair deal. It is clear that a healthy city is vital to a healthy county. I am confident we can achieve an agreement that provides ample benefit to both the City and the County.
Question: Do you support a property tax cap in New York State?
Jennings / By instituting a property tax cap, you can effectively “stop the bleeding,” however, you are not getting to the core of the problem. Our taxpayers are hurting, and while a cap may give preliminary relief, it must be part of a long term strategy that is based on the reduction of spending. Also, I think that a 4% tax cap is too much, but would be willing to support a cap that is tied to the rate of inflation.
Kimatian / Given the fact that our political leadership does not seem able to restrain spending, yes, I support a property tax cap. I would also support a cap on the State Budget year to year.
Miner / I am open to the idea of a tax cap in New York State. We must take steps to reform the Medicaid financing structure which is a primary contributor to the outrageous property tax levels in our state.
Creating and Sustaining a Quality Community:
Question: Would you be supportive of creating a local investment fund in the County that would invest in critical infrastructure and assets in the City and the surrounding suburbs?
· If yes, would you pledge to help pursue opportunities to leverage local funding with additional flexible federal, private and/or not-for-profit funding as opportunities arise?
Jennings / I believe Onvest deserves consideration for its potential to help the city and surrounding suburbs maintain its quality of life. I am definitely in favor of leveraging local funding with additional resources as opportunities arise, and as the benefits are clear.
Kimatian / Yes.
Miner / I am certainly open to this concept. I would welcome more details from Syracuse 20/20 on how such a fund could be administered in an equitable and sustainable way that places emphasis on quality design,
smart growth, environmental protection, and urban vitality.
Question: Who are some of the natural allies of the City (i.e. older suburbs, Mayors of villages etc) and how will you partner with these entities?
Jennings / I believe that every suburb and the leaders of every village, township and hamlet are potential allies of the City - and it works both ways. The opportunity for consolidation must be pursued. We owe it to yourselves to come together to find ways to maintain services while cutting our expenses for our residents and business owners.
Kimatian / Cities and towns surrounding the City are natural allies for creating regional events, marketing convention and visitor events where the events would have several venues and the participants could use the hotels of the City.
Miner / Certainly all communities in Onondaga County and the region should be allies, but I do see contiguous towns, and older suburban villages, and the County Executive as allies. Those allies have the shared interest of using their limited resources to make targeted investments in areas that exemplify development patterns that are dense, encourage walkability and transit access, and concentrate resources to limit fiscal stress and environmental impact caused by infrastructure and its maintenance.
Question: What is your position with regard to renovations to Interstate 81?
Jennings / If feasibility studies indicate that the proposed renovations will improve accessibility, traffic flow and the quality of life to our residents and visitors, I believe the I-81 renovations should proceed.
Kimatian / A cost analysis is basic to any decision. If the cost of taking down the roadway is equivalent to the cost of repairing and restoring, taking it down to create a better cityscape would be the best option. However, if taken down, most of the roadway should be below street grade with overhead crossings.
Miner / We must explore ways that we can remove the elevated portion of route I-81. This viaduct has been physical and psychological barrier to strong urban connectivity, a cultural barrier to both the underserved populations of the Southside and of the University Hill area, and a barrier to Syracuse’s potential as a well designed and culturally, economically, and socially integrated city. While this problem may not be completely solved during my time in office, I will be an advocate for community engagement in the planning process and for a reasonable solution.
Question: Do you support adding at-large County legislators to the County Legislature? If yes, what do you see as the advantages to the City of having at-large legislators?
Jennings / Syracuse city residents deserve to more representation on the county legislature. The advantages to the city would include access to certain services and resources that they’ve not enjoyed before.
Kimatian / Yes. They would be in a better position to advocate the needs of the City and balance
City/ County differences.
Miner / I would be open to instituting a County Legislative model that incorporates at-large legislators as part of a larger reform and redistricting process. At large legislators could potentially provide the equitable, sustainable countywide and region-wide perspective that is necessary for real success as a metropolitan area.
Local Government Restructuring/Modernization:
Question: Do you currently support city-county consolidation? If no, under what conditions would you find consolidation of city-county acceptable?
Jennings / I support moving in that direction but we must do so prudently. We begin with obvious areas where shared services will work and then let the people decide if they’re satisfied with the outcome. For example, we should use the county’s bond rating to fund Blodgett School’s renovation.
Kimatian / Consolidation and shared services is supported where the service is maintained or increased for the same or less cost.
Miner / I am open to any conversation about how improve service provision in Syracuse and Onondaga County. However, without more specific details regarding such a recommendation I would not promise to support citycounty consolidation. I do believe that we can and should take incremental steps toward service sharing between the City and County that provide equal or better service with equal or lesser cost to the taxpayer.
Question: What do you see as some of the past successes of consolidation and/or shared service efforts for the City (list services)?
Jennings / Successful partnerships include the Onondaga County Library System, Burnet Park Zoo, Alliance Bank Baseball Stadium, waterway and park development (e.g. Elmwood Park).
Kimatian / Zoo, Library, Forensic Science Center Labs, 911
Miner / There have been several efforts made over the years to share different services between layers of government. In my opinion one of the more notable and successful such efforts has been with the crime lab. This is a good example of different government entities getting together to look at how a very specialized service can be provided at a high level to the benefit of all the municipalities involved and their constituents.