SYRACUSE, N.Y. -- A single metropolitan government, one executive and a 33-person legislature. That could be the future of Syracuse and Onondaga County if Consensus members get their way.
"If we can create a structure of delivery of services or government, that is reflective, not of the 18th century or 19th century, but for the 21st century, I think it will tell our children and grandchildren 'this is a place you can build a future,' ” said Consensus CNY Co-Chair Neil Murphy.
The report estimates the recommendations could save up to $33 million a year. A new legislative model would feature 29 districts in the city and county. Members say it allows for smaller districts, ensuring all residents' voices are heard.
"The factor of inclusive, the city council and the county legislature, minority groups are underrepresented on both of those bodies currently, and we think this gets you a lot closer to full representation than what they have now," explained Consensus CNY Co-Chair Jim Walsh.
For city residents, policing could have a new look. The report recommends Syracuse Police merge with the Onondaga Sheriff's Office, which could save up to $6 million each year.
For those who live outside city borders, members say taking away the competition between cities, towns and villages, and focusing on county-wide economic development would go a long way.
"The idea is develop the revenue sharing plan so if there's development in the city, it benefits Clay if there's development in DeWitt; it benefits Solvay; all the community would benefit so everyone becomes a cheerleader for economic growth. The competition goes away, and we're all in this together,” Walsh added.
Towns and villages would still have the chance to "opt-in" to metro government later on.
None of the 50 recommendations, though, are set in stone. The plan would have to be approved by voters in a referendum, which could occur as soon as this November.
The final report is already sparking debate in the community. The reactions from the city and county were very different even though consolidation isn’t a new idea.
"As far as I'm concerned, it's really a gift to the city to start the conversation about where we want to go," said Onondaga County Executive Joanie Mahoney.
There are 50 recommendations in the report. Mahoney said she is open to conversations about where to go from here. The report calls for a metropolitan government combining the county and city under a new legislative model with 29 districts. Those districts would be drawn outside the political process, which is a highlight for the county executive.
"There is no reward for crossing the aisle and collaborating when you have a whole bunch of districts that are drawn for Republicans or drawn for Democrats,” Mahoney added. “They have to be drawn for the people."
Syracuse Mayor Stephanie Miner had strong words about the report.
"Despite the Commission’s good intentions, the Consensus Commission’s Final Report is, unfortunately, an enormous disappointment," Miner said in a statement. "It is rife with ambiguities and omissions. Its section on governance is fatally flawed since it assumes the existence of legal authority to abolish the City, which simply does not exist."
The Consensus Commission wasted no time firing back. In a statement, the co-chairs wrote, "The negativity evident in her statement does not serve the residents of Syracuse. Her comments seek to diminish the work of every member who has volunteered to work with this commission."
It has become common knowledge that the city and county leaders often disagree, but Mahoney says she will reach out to the mayor and wants to assure the public that politics did not go into this report.
Mahoney pointed to areas where the two entities have already come together and are working well, including purchasing, the 911 center and the jail, as well as using the same financial platform.