Taxes going up in Binghamton surprised no one, but some were shocked by how much.

"It's drastic," said Paul Graham of Binghamton. "I mean people aren't going to want to stay here."

Mayor Matt Ryan's proposed 16 percent tax increase comes at a time when the city is unable to come up with new revenue.

This comes at a time when the city is getting fewer funds from Albany.

"That leave us with balancing the budget on the backs of our tax payers and workers," said (D) Mayor Matt Ryan.

"Anything that is not essential to running the city of Binghamton we're going to look to try to pair that out," said Council President Martin Gerchman.

Binghamton spends the most per capita in the state on its police and fire departments.

"Come up with some creative ways to keep as much coverage as we an on the street as close as what we have now by restructuring the way we run the department," Gerchman said.

Budget problems are not unique to just Binghamton.

Which is why many other local governments may look to team up to drive down costs.

"Why don't we consolidate?" Councilman Ed Collins said. "Why don't we form a metropolitan form of government. You're paying seven of us to do the same thing that you're paying 19 county legislators across the parking lot."

One other city position is expected to remain unfilled, but Ryan says any further squeeze in the city's work force won't come this year.

"If you walk through city hall today, there are not a lot of employees. There's not a lot of fat in the department," Collins said.

The city is having to cut down on its spending just like its residents have been doing during these difficult economic times.

Binghamton City Council will have 45 days to make any changes to the proposal.

Ryan has 10 days after that to make any vetoes.

After that, City Council will vote on it at their next meeting.