Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The incoming administration for Buffalo Mayor-elect Sean Ryan presented the details of its plan to reorganize the City of Buffalo’s leadership structure to the Buffalo Common Council’s Finance Committee on Tuesday, revealing that the new structure will save Buffalo taxpayers nearly $100,000 each year.
Ryan proposed the reorganization to better align responsibilities with the evolving demands on city services, and to improve city government operations. The plan includes targeted adjustments to both personnel and compensation, consolidating or eliminating certain positions, creating others, and updating high-level salaries to help attract and retain experienced municipal leaders.
In total, the new structure reduces the number of mayor-appointed positions by seven and generates a net savings of more than $97,000 per-year.
"My first priority is building a modern city government that delivers the high-quality services Buffalo residents expect," said Ryan in a statement on Tuesday. "Just as important, we’re doing it without asking taxpayers to pay more. This plan creates a more efficient government that does more with fewer taxpayer dollars."
The proposed changes include modifications to administrative titles and compensation levels across several departments, including:
- The Mayor and Executive;
- Law;
- Administration and Finance;
- Police;
- Public Works, Parks and Streets;
- Community Services;
- Permits and Inspection Services.
Ryan recently announced the new structure will include four deputy mayors, each of whom will oversee several city departments. The move will consolidate high-level decision making and reduce time-consuming administrative burdens on Buffalo’s commissioners so they may focus more fully on the day-to-day management of their departments.
"I promised voters a more efficient city government that saves money without cutting essential services, and I intend to keep that promise," Ryan said. "No services are being eliminated. The responsibilities tied to positions being removed will continue to be carried out by other employees, ensuring continuity as we improve efficiency."
The Common Council is expected to vote on the reorganization proposal next week.