At a special meeting Thursday night, the Troy City Council passed a $73.5 million budget for the 2019 fiscal year. The budget passed four to three, which includes a solid waste management fee for the second year in a row.

"This is a tax. It's a hidden tax," said Council President Carmella Mantello.

Mantello opposed the budget again due to it, but in the end, the budget will raise the solid waste management fee by $4 annually to $164 for 2019.

"The people of Troy were already getting service. Their service did not get enhanced over the last year," Mantello said.

Troy Mayor Patrick Madden defended the fee.

"It's an effort to isolate and track the expenses that we incurred," Madden said.

During the meeting, the council also authorized bonds for the closed pools. The bonds will give $1.4 million to reconstruct the South Troy pool, as well as $3.8 million to rebuild the Knickerbacker Pool.

"We will start with [the] South Troy Pool, and start developing a work plan, specs and put that out to bid," Madden said.

In addition, the council passed a bond resolution for police body cameras — $250,000 was approved to begin the process of getting the cameras for officers.

"We applied for a grant through the AG's office. We're pretty confident that we're going to get that grant and they're working on policy, so that's a big deal and I think that's a real win for the community," Mantello said.

Following the meeting, Madden issued a statement on the approval.

"Tonight’s approval of my administration’s third consecutive balanced budget by the City Council is another positive step in the right direction for our residents, families, businesses and taxpayers. This financially responsible, community-focused plan – which remains under the state tax cap, preserves staffing levels and city services, and plans for the modernization of our swimming facilities – demonstrates our commitment to strong financial oversight and fact-based budgeting practices," read the statement.

"I express my thanks to members of the City Council who engaged in this important process, and applaud the work of the City Comptroller’s office for their diligence and expertise in developing this year’s budget.”