Taking into consideration all the challenges facing the City of Ogdensburg during the year 2022, my family and I have decided that I will remain in the position of City Manager through the end of the year. I will submit my written resignation, with the new effective date, to the Mayor and City Council prior to the next City Council meeting on 23 May 2022.
The City of Ogdensburg continues to face the very real threat of financial collapse if proactive concepts and decisions are not embraced immediately, there is no additional time for deliberation or debate. City Council has failed to heed the warnings and act affirmatively on the recommendations of my predecessor and myself, instead opting to continue the status quo that is enabling the city’s expenses to increase at a rate far greater than revenue is increasing. Despite significant staff reductions in 2021 and 2022, the City is likely facing a deficit of over $1M going into to fiscal year 2023 that will require additional personnel cuts, increases in property taxes or use of the recently stabilized fund balance to continue a balanced budget; none of these courses of action are good for the city.
I am committed to continuing the very precise goals and objectives that were given to me by members of the Majority City Council that are designed solely to do what is right and best for the entire city. For far too long previous city councils have catered to the unaffordable entitlements of a few, the out of touch demands of the unions and the constant attacks of the special interest while overlooking the needs of the entire community. Mayor Jeffrey Skelly, Deputy Mayor Steven Fisher and Councilor William Dillabough remain committed to changing the culture of mismanagement and the out of control thirst to raise property taxes that gripped the residents of this city for decades; I will continue to do all I can to support them.
