Watertown Council Approves $226M Budget, Pauses Police Drone Purchase

WATERTOWN -- May 26, 2026, Watertown City Council unanimously adopted a $226.2 million general fund budget for fiscal year 2027 and agreed to pause a police drone program pending committee review. Council President Mark Sedaris flagged two items during the line-by-line review: the elimination of a 20-year information technology position, drawing a pledge from City Manager George Proakis that impact bargaining with the Teamsters union would produce "the softest landing possible" for the affected employee; and a drone-purchase line in the police budget, which Sedaris said he would refer to the Public Safety Committee before any equipment is purchased. State Representatives John Lawn and Steve Owens told the council a home-rule tax-shift bill is on track to clear the House Ways and Means Committee by June 26, and that Watertown's Chapter 90 road-funding allocation will rise to roughly $950,000 in FY27, up from $730,000 in FY25. The council also approved a $1,887,000 debt-reduction transfer and voted 8-0 to defeat a pro forma motion for budget reconsideration.