Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - On the heels of a judge ruling that the Buffalo Comptroller must issue bonds to borrow money to pay for projects approved by the City Council, Mayor Chris Scanlon is warning that an appeal would be "irresponsible."
Just after the decision was handed down on Wednesday, William Savino, Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams' attorney, told WBEN that an appeal was "highly likely".
State Supreme Court Justice Emilio Colaiacovo ordered Miller-Williams to sell $110 million in city capital project bonds, writing in his decision that the powers of her office do not include a role in the budgetary process other than the ministerial responsibilities as provided for in the charter. Her failure to act pursuant to the Council's resolution was a dereliction of her duty.
"I think it's very clear what the Charter says, and the Comptroller for some reason does not feel that way," Scanlon told WBEN on Thursday.
"We've now gone to a court and a Supreme Court Justice has reiterated the fact that the Charter says what it says. The Comptroller keeps talking about being the steward of the City's finances, but the Comptroller is the one who is adding a burden to the taxpayer with the delays in these projects and if she should appeal, additional costs with outside counsel."
Scanlon says much of the additional cost will be seen in the missed construction season, as prices rise to complete projects that could have been started this year.
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