BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....One thing is very certain when the Buffalo Common Council, this afternoon, votes on the $682 million 2026-2027 budget that has been offered by Mayor Sean Ryan -- it won't be all kumbaya like past budget votes.
"Anything and everything is in play," says Fillmore Councilman Mitch Nowakowski.
The council could:
* Approve Ryan's budget that includes an average property tax increase of 25.8% along with major increases in other city-collected fees.
* The council may consider its own amended budget, that potentially could cut $25 million from Ryan's proposed spending package and reduce the property tax hike to around 9%.
* Unless five votes are gained for any budget option, it would automatically revert to Ryan's budget.
* Ryan could veto an amended budget and then the council would need six votes to override his veto.
* Again, without the six over ride votes, the budget returns to Ryan's proposal.
"It really is anyone's guess," Nowakowski said.
North Councilman Joseph Golombek, the senior most member of the council, said he is going to push for amendments that could lower the property tax hike.
That list includes going from four deputy mayors to two deputy mayors, rolling back some salaries - especially at the top administrative level - to 2025 levels and reducing certain positions by rolling those responsibilities to deputy mayors and others in the administration.
"We, especially have to address how this budget could impact the working class and poor," Golombek said.
Ryan delivered the budget on April 15, but nearly one month earlier he warned of the 25.8% property tax hike. The hike, in many cases, will add $30 per month - or less - to property tax bills.
The property tax is one of several items that Ryan is looking to resolve Buffalo's canyon-like, $109 million budget gap and, within the next four years have a financially solid city.
However, the property tax has become the one budget item that has become a talking point across all city neighborhoods.
"It is a bit of a red herring," Nowakowski said.
Ryan admits this year's budget is not an easy one to accept and he knew there would be significant push back.
"Ignoring it was not the answer," Ryan said.
