Friends, neighbors, and fellow Trojans,
Sharing a quick follow up on our efforts to protect Troy taxpayers through strong oversight of city finances.
Through our persistent efforts, the city council obtained a commitment from the administration to reduce the expenditure of previously approved bonding of $6 million down to $3 million for Frear Park. This is a win for taxpayers and fiscal transparency.
We’re in the process of discussing additional measures to strengthen the council’s oversight of debt borrowing requests.
The full release is below.
Onward,
Sue Steele
Council President
Council Democrats Secure $3 Million Reduction in Debt for Frear Park Improvements
Troy, New York (January 20, 2026) — Council President Sue Steele issued an update on the council’s financial oversight work to protect taxpayers.
On Tuesday, the council secured an agreement from the Mantello administration that only $3 million of the previously adopted bond will be expended, saving city taxpayers $3 million in debt. The council will be discussing the passage of legislation to formally limit the spending to $3 million and secure specific concessions at a future meeting. The Council also secured more time for public input on park improvements after a rushed process.
“During a call with bond counsel today to discuss rescinding the $6 million bond for a pavilion at Frear Park, the administration agreed to restrict spending to $3 million,” Council President Steele said. “This is a victory for Troy taxpayers that limits the long-term impact on the city’s budget and shows that public pressure can bring real change to the way the city does business. I commend Councilmembers Campbell-Cohen and McKee for their work to hold the administration accountable.”
Additionally, Steele, Councilmember Noreen McKee, and Councilmember Greg Campbell-Cohen made it clear in today’s call with the administration that future obstructions, including access to the city’s financial advisors, will not be tolerated to assure the financial well-being of the city.
Questions remain about the accuracy of the SEQRA environmental determination and legal notice published in the Troy Record, but the City Council is ready to abide by the guidance of its financial advisers with the administration’s support on changes moving forward.
On December 30, 2025, the previous council authorized a $6 million bond at a hastily-called council meeting while the mayor controlled the City Council majority. Despite numerous unanswered questions and calls for the resolution to be paused until a new council was seated, it was passed by the outgoing council less than 36 hours before the new majority took office.