Dog Park Stays In Budget,

But Council Concerned

About $20M Spending

By JAMES CUMMINGS • Special to www.AllOTSEGO.com

ONEONTA – The Neahwa Park dog park and new positions in fire and public works departments were among the items in the city's $20 million 2020 budget, but with a deadline looming Council members decried the lack of time given to addressing the changes.

“This year's budget is a very aggressive one,” said Mayor Gary Herzig. “We give our Council members more time to discuss parking spaces than we do our budget.”

“It appears that there’s a lot more moving parts with this budget,” said Council member David Rissberger, Third Ward.

“This is the most confusing budget,” said outgoing Council member Melissa Nicosia, Second Ward. “I’m feeling overwhelmed by the information I’m being fed. I don’t want to have to go through this with a fine-toothed comb.”