Syracuse City Auditor Alexander Marion has released his 2025 Year in Review, highlighting the work of his office over the past year.
“I am proud of the work my team and I were able to accomplish, including increasing revenue through permit fees, keeping cyclists safer, and improving the accessibility of the City’s licensing process,” Marion said. “I’m committed to providing strong oversight into the decisions the City makes today and insight into the decisions we need to make tomorrow. I look forward to a productive 2026 with my colleagues across government.”
Since taking office, Marion has issued four audits and 14 policy reports covering topics such as city payments, compliance with Sidewalk Café permit rules, and the impact of vacant structure fires on neighborhoods. The 2025 review, his second since taking office, summarizes audits, policy achievements, and community engagement.
Reports and Audits Issued in 2025
- Working for a Living Wage: Audit of the City of Syracuse Living Wage Ordinance
- Service on the Sidewalk: Compliance audit of Sidewalk Café permits
- Verifying Vouchers: Audit of City claims processing
- Consequences of Change: Examining the impact of federal funding changes
- Runaway Rentals: Analysis of Rental Registry enforcement and effectiveness
- 2024-25 Annual Report: Review of the Department of Audit work from April 1, 2024, through March 30, 2025
- Budget Balancing Act: Analysis of the Mayor’s FY2025-26 proposed budget
- Following the Fire: Analysis of vacant structure fires from 2024
Policy Accomplishments
- Increased State Aid: Won a $10 million increase in state AIM funding over two years
- Revenue Sharing with VEO: Advocated for improvements to the City’s VEO scooter contract, resulting in nearly $50,000 in revenue for the City in the first three quarters of 2025
- Fireworks Permit Changes: Worked with the Fire Department to update permit fees, projected to generate up to $10,000 annually
- Improved Permits and Licensing: Recommended changes to make business licenses more accessible; the Central Permit Office improved signage and launched a new website, syr.gov/licensing
- Cyclist Safety: Urged the Common Council to adopt an amendment making blocking a bicycle lane a traffic violation
- Contractor Accountability: Helped pass a new ordinance requiring deposits from contractors and holding them accountable for proper road restoration
Auditor Marion’s office says the report reflects a year of policy progress, increased revenue, and efforts to improve safety and accessibility for Syracuse residents.
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