Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - Budget discussions continue to ensue in the City of Buffalo.
The $618 million budget for 2024-25 that Mayor Byron Brown proposed in the State of the City in the beginning of May includes a 9% increase in property taxes, an increase which he says is necessary to continue to provide the necessary resources and services that the Buffalo residents need.
"It's a good budget," Mayor Brown told WBEN on Friday. "It gives our city the positioning to continue to grow and create additional opportunities for our residents. So the conversations have been good, they have been thorough, and I'm hoping that the budget will be passed by the city council."
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The Buffalo Common Council have already convened budget hearings with department heads in the council chambers on Thursday, May 3 and Friday, May 4 as well as budget workshops occurring all throughout last week.
"That's where we really got in the nitty gritty with each department," noted Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski on Friday.
"I think that right now, the council is moving, especially with Council President [Chris] Scanlon, to really come up to where the happy medium is with the council so that we can negotiate with the mayor. We do understand that we have to have additional revenue. I mean, we're on a cliff where we have to find a solution. So, right now, I think that you'll see going into next week the real negotiations begin."
We asked the mayor if there's any worry regarding the possibility of anything getting cut in the budget.
"I think the budget is very lean. There's no fat in the budget, I think it will be very difficult to cut anything from the budget without cutting essential services. I would hate to see that."
"We have to continue to invest in ourselves as a community. And the way we have positioned the budget, balanced the budget, even though there are some increases in the tax rate and other fees and fines, I think the budget is one that will still be affordable to our residents and businesses. And our tax rate will still be lower than surrounding communities many cities across New York State."
As May 14 marks the two-year remembrance period for the racially-motivated Tops Market mass shooting on Jefferson Avenue, the Buffalo Common Council has amended that alters their schedules for an upcoming council meeting and budget workshop.
The Buffalo Police Department's budget workshop will take place on Monday, May 13 following the council's 2 p.m. ET caucus meeting and the official regular business meeting of the council will be on Wednesday, May 16 at 2 p.m. ET.
After the Wednesday meeting, the council will then hear from the public on the budget. The tentative start time is 5 p.m. ET in the council chambers. You can find more information here.