Strong reaction to Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan's first city budget proposal.
Council member Rasheed Wyatt of the University District described it as shock and awe. He said he's hearing from people, more than ever before, about the 25% increase in the property tax levy.
"When I'm at the grocery store, people are saying please don't support the 25%. It's non stop. People are outraged and concerned about what may happen to them if they're a homeowner or a renter."
Wyatt added, "the 25% is just way beyond what I can stomach."
When asked what is an acceptable tax levy due to the fiscal constraints, he said he thought maybe the administration was looking at 9% or 10%. Even though that is very high, he said it was something that he could tolerate, in a bid to right size government.
Wyatt said he doesn't know if anything is acceptable right now to residents under these conditions.
"Gas is sky high. Food is not back to where it was before post pandemic. Rents are going to go up. User fees are going up. Water rates are going up. All of these things are compromising peoples' quality of life, because they don't have it right now."
The Common Council has until May 26 to make any changes to the Mayor's budget.
