Buffalo, NY (WBEN) Buffalo's fiscal watchdog is going ahead with an appeal of a ruling that requires her to issue bonds for the City of Buffalo's capital projects in 2025. Barbara Miller-Williams says the city can't afford such projects.
Miller Williams, through her attorneys from Woods Oviatt Gilman LLP, filed an Appellate Brief today with the New York State Appellate Division, Fourth Department, in Rochester, NY. The appeal relates to an Erie County Supreme Court ruling concerning the issuance and sale of the 2025 City of Buffalo Capital Bonds. Miller-Williams' counsel, William F. Savino and Robert J. Marks of Woods Oviatt Gilman, LLP, submitted the appellate brief by today's deadline. Oral arguments are expected to be scheduled for February or March 2026,
On October 31, 2025, the Acting Mayor Christopher P. Scanlon, and Fillmore District Buffalo Common Council Member Mitchell P. Nowakowski filed a motion seeking to lift the Comptroller’s automatic Stay of Enforcement, which would have compelled her to issue bonds exceeding the City’s $28 million debt cap. The Appellate Division’s denied that request, confirming that Comptroller Miller Williams is not required to issue these bonds at this time. As a result, no City of Buffalo Capital Bonds were issued in 2025.
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“On behalf of the citizens and taxpayers of the City of Buffalo, my decision to appeal was made with careful consideration and a clear responsibility to safeguard the City’s finances,” stated Comptroller Miller Williams. “As the City’s Chief Fiscal Office, I could not support a bond issuance under the 2025 Capital Budget that exceeded statutory debt limits and posed potential risks to the City of Buffalo’s long-term fiscal health, I remain committed to protecting the City’s financial stability- both now and for future generations.” As this matter remains under active litigation, the Comptroller will not provide further comment at this time.
The Department of Audit and Control will continue to monitor the City’s financial performance and provide regular updates to the Administration, the Buffalo Common Council, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority, and the citizens and taxpayers.