BUFFALO, N.Y. (WBEN).....Amid questions being raised by Erie County Comptroller Kevin Hardwick, County Executive Mark Poloncarz said his office will review the just-approved security services contract between the Buffalo Sabres organization and the Erie County Sheriff's Office.
As the Erie County Legislature, last week, approved the new three-year contract by a 10-1 count, Hardwick questioned the pact saying it may end up being a money-loser and not revenue neutral.
Under the terns of the contract, the Sabres organization will pay the Sheriff's office $585,000 during the 2026-2027 season for security services inside KeyBank Center during all Buffalo Sabres and Buffalo Bandits games plus concerts and other events uo tp 88 events annually.
Anything beyond those 88 dates, the Sabres will be an escalating fee.
For the 2027-2028 season, the Sabres will pay $650,000 and for the 2028-2029 season, the annual fee paid by the Sabres to the Sheriff's office is $720,000.
There are escalating fees for anything beyond 88 dates.
Hardwick is concerned that Sheriff's expenses will exceed those payments.
However, Erie County Legislator John Gilmore says that should not be the case.
"It's a fair deal," Gilmore said.
When the Sheriff's first started providing security services in the arena, in 2022, they were paid $120,000 annually.
"The fact that we are getting a lot more from the past is a good deal," Gilmore said.
Poloncarz noted that Bills and Sabres owner Terry Pegula fully reimburses the county for Sheriff's services at Bills' home game, he thinks the same should be true for events at KeyBank Center.
"My feeling is we must be paid fair value," Poloncarz said. :"By law, we can't give away services."
County Executive to look at new three-year deal
County Executive to look at new three-year deal
