24-05-2025
Buffalo Common Council asks for amendments to proposed budget
BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — The Buffalo Common Council is asking for six amendments to acting Mayor Chris Scanlon's 2025-26 proposed budget. Council members said the amendments focus on making affordability a priority while 'reining in' increasing overtime costs and maintaining public services.
Scanlon announced his $622 million budget in April, which includes a hotel occupancy tax, selling city-owned parking ramps, a proposed property tax increase and more. His proposal has been met with critiques from local leaders about its ability to fill the $70 million budget hole.
Scanlon announces $622M city budget, proposes 8% property tax increase
One of the amendments asks for formal agreements to be made between the city and venues or organizers who use the city's police, fire and sanitation services for events. More specifically, the council is asking for reimbursements from the entities for 'city-related expenses' through a memorandum of understanding.
A property tax circuit breaker program was also proposed, citing concerns of effects of the proposed tax increase on low-income homeowners. The council said it would provide 'targeted relief' to people whose tax liabilities are higher than a 'defined percentage' of their yearly income.
The council wants representation on the Buffalo Parking Authority — which has received approval in the state's budget and would pave the way for city-owned parking ramps to be sold off to the authority — to 'promote transparency' to the public.
Caps to departmental overtime, particularly in police and fire services, was listed as an amendment, along with switching to one annual bulk trash pickup model. Any reduction in trash services would be returned to residents through fee reductions.
The council requested the restoration of funding for art programs that was cut in December 2024 and $403,000 in funding for cultural and anti-violence initiatives.
The amendments follow concerns from local leaders since the announcement of the proposed budget.
Buffalo Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams previously called the budget 'technically balanced,' but took issue with the city relying on nonrecurring revenue sources. New York State Senator Baskin, along with Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz and Buffalo mayoral candidate and State Senator Sean Ryan, questioned the proposed sale of parking ramps and whether it will fill the budget gap.
Poloncarz concerned by 'serious issues' in proposed Buffalo budget
Scanlon has previously said that his proposals are not one-time revenue sources and that the Buffalo Parking Authority, would bring around $40 to $50 million in cash, as well as $2.5 million in revenue every year.
'It's not a gimmick, it's money that would come in — a large sum of money — that we could use over the course of several years while we fix the budget,' Scanlon told WIVB News 4 on Friday. 'If you look at the four-year plan, it's laid out, how we would do that, but also, it would provide a yearly revenue as well and again, alleviate the City of Buffalo of any maintenance and capital costs associated with those.'
The council will vote on the budget amendments on Tuesday, May 27.
Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here.
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