Buffalo, NY (WBEN) - Days after Buffalo Mayor Sean Ryan released his first proposed city budget, it's not just the $25.8% tax increase that's getting attention from Council members.
Deep in the budget is a policy provision that is raising questions.
"Budget books are numbers, dollars and cents figures, that's normally what it is," said Masten District Council Woman Zeneta Everhart. "This budget book actually includes a resolution that limits the power of the Common Council. That's Kind of crazy."
Ryan included in the budget a resolution that would give him control over contracts and vendors without Council oversight.
Everhart said she's never seen something like that included in the city budget before.
"I've never seen an resolution in a budget book," Everhart said. "I've definitely never seen a resolution where the Common Council would allow the administration to take our job from us. I think that it is egregious. I think that it is disrespectful. I just don't understand it."
Currently, the council has the authority to approve all city contracts. Everhart doesn't see that changing.
"I'm just going to tell you now, this is never going to pass. Ever."
"This is never going to pass. Ever."
"This is never going to pass. Ever."
