Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan stepped up to the podium Wednesday evening to deliver his State of the City address. Ryan touted achievements by his administration and laid out plans for improvements in the future. YNN's Chris Whalen breaks down the mayor's speech.

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BINGHAMTON, N.Y. -- In an address that lasted about an hour, Binghamton Mayor Matt Ryan summed up the city's progress from his perspective.

He began by commending the community for its resilience following September's flood. He then moved to achievements within City Hall for a more efficient government, and on to commercial development on all sides of town.

"Responsible government means taking advantage of all opportunities to tap new resources on behalf of our citizens, and this administration certainly has done so," Ryan said.

But Mayor Ryan could not ignore the work that still has to be done within the city. Binghamton continues to face economic hardships, much of which Ryan attributes to federal and state mandates.

"Policies in Washington and Albany have cost us more than $87 million over the last ten years," Ryan said.

But some council members said rather than pointing fingers, the mayor should be looking at ways the city can overcome and begin to fend for itself.

"Diversify so that we can have other revenue sources, that's what we have to concentrate on is new revenue sources, we can't keep going back to the tax payers for more money," said Councilman Chris Papastrat.

The fact remains, however, that fiscal woes are still in Binghamton's future, ensuring another difficult budget year.

"When considering the 2013 budget, virtually everything is on the table and almost nothing is guaranteed," Ryan said.

Meaning the mayor, and council, will have to work together to come up with solutions for tax payers.

"Our main task is to oversee the budget, and I think we will continue to do that and going forward, look for new, creative ways to make sure that we're accounting for everything and saving every nickel we can," said Councilwoman Teri Rennia.

Promising for what Ryan calls times that are 'intimidating, but also exciting.'