POUGHKEEPSIE – The COVID-19 pandemic created an enormous burden on city finances, leading to a budget deficit of more than $5 million in Poughkeepsie.
In late March, Mayor Rob Rolison met with City Administrator Marc Nelson and others to prevent further losses.
All city departments, except for police, fire and Section 8 were asked to find 15 percent worth of cuts in their respective budgets and submit them to Finance Commissioner Brian Martinez by April 3.
All departments complied, with the exception of the common council. Councilman Matt McNamara led the charge to find savings in the council’s budget but was rebuked on at least two occasions.
The suggestion and denial of the plan in May resulted in a heated debate, covered here. McNamara then offered an amendment at the first June meeting to reduce the amount available for the council to spend on outside consultants. McNamara suggested removing that money, given that the council had not spent any of the money since January.
In a flurry of activity in a meeting this past weekend, the Democrats that have the council’s majority reconsidered McNamara’s 15 percent plan. On Monday night, Council Chair Sarah Salem announced that the lawmakers would be cutting 20 percent from their consultant line, for a budget reduction totaling $17,100.
McNamara was pleased with the outcome but added “I think it’s insulting but I am glad we have a cut to the budget after two months.” Councilmember Evan Menist called the cut “a way to lead by example.”
