After thirteen years of guiding Cleveland’s finances, Shawn McKay is set to retire as the City of Cleveland’s CFO and assistant to the city manager. City Manager Joe Fivas calls McKay’s departure a “major loss” for the community.

Pittsburgh’s new mayor, Corey O’Connor, faces the challenging goal of both shrinking and growing the city. Though not impossible, the choice words “tough hand” highlight the seriousness and difficulty of his role.

As a significant deficit casts a shadow over Buffalo’s finances, city leaders are racing against a looming deadline to finalize the 2025-2026 budget. The urgent measures taken now will shape the city’s fiscal future.