By a vote of 50-1, the City Council passed next year’s municipal budget on Friday.

The $60 billion spending plan raises sales taxes by half a percentage point, though that still needs approval from Albany. It also cuts about a thousand jobs; a figure smaller than previously proposed.

The budget restores funds to keep 16 firehouses open, leaves libraries open for six days a week, and keeps 100 Administration for Children’s Services caseworkers on the job.

One of the few points of contention was the five-year capital plan for school construction, which passed 42-9.

Only Queens Councilman Eric Gioia voted against the overall budget, denouncing money that is handed out to lawmakers’ districts, including his. His stand drew protests from other members, who asked that he not accept any city money.

Public Advocate Betsy Gotbaum also criticized the City Council for cutting her office’s budget by 40 percent. Standing on City Hall’s steps, she accused Council Speaker Christine Quinn of engaging in political revenge.

“This is political payback from Speaker Quinn for my spirited opposition to extending term limits without a referendum,” said Gotbaum. “It’s anti-democratic, bad government and politics at its worst.”

Quinn responded that politics were not involved in the budget-balancing process.

“This isn’t about politics, it’s about keeping core services – ACS workers, firehouses, libraries, day care centers – open,” said Quinn.

Earlier this week, Mayor Michael Bloomberg and the council hammered out a budget deal that made partial restorations of funding for city services.

Yet the two councilmen who are running for public advocate, Eric Gioia and Bill De Blasio, said they did not have the power to give Gotbaum additional funds.

“I think we were overwhelmed, bluntly, by all the needs we had to fulfill, which should have been handled by the mayor’s side,” said De Blasio.”

The fiscal year begins on July 1, and council members may have to revisit the budget over the next year if tax revenues fall to the point where more service cuts are needed.

(Source: NY1)