1 week Ago
BUFFALO, N.Y. — In a vote on Monday, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority (BFSA) passed a resolution which labeled the budget proposal as submitted by Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon to be "incomplete", expressing concern about revenue projections.
"What we are saying is that given the assumptions that are made in this budget we can't say for certain that they have a balanced budget," said Frederick G. Floss, who serves as the BFSA Secretary. Scanlon, who is seeking election to a full term as mayor, said when he took over as Acting Mayor there were indications that the city faced a potential $70 million budget gap.
On top of an 8% property tax increase, Scanlon hopes to close the gap further through two ideas: the sale of city owned parking ramps, which Scanlon estimates would bring in $30 million, and a new Hotel Occupancy Tax that would bring in estimated $15 million over the next four years.. However, both measures would require state approval .
And, and as of now, neither one has gotten it. "If you don't get $40 million in revenue, how are we going to address that?" asked Floss, while speaking with reporters following the vote, while explaining that the lack of any formal "Gap Plan" address that scenario is what makes the budget proposal "incomplete." "If the control board wants more information on what we might do in the future, should some things work out, we have no problem to provide that," said Scanlon, who told 2 On Your Side his administration had positive talks regarding his revenue proposals with the office of NY Gov.
Kathy Hochul and NYS Assembly Deputy Majority leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes (D-Buffalo). Among those publicly questioning the estimated amount the city might realize from selling the parking ramps is Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, an ex-officio member of the BFSA board, who also suggested that the city raise property taxes further. Poloncarz, who provided no evidence to counter Scanlon's estimates, is also supporting Scanlon's top rival in the race for mayor, NYS Sen.
Sean Ryan. Perhaps to no one's surprise, Ryan wasted no time in issuing a press release, praising Poloncarz's skepticism of Scanlon's parking ramp plan. Floss also advocated for further tax hikes, while noting the city is nowhere near the amount of its taxing authority in terms of the tax levy.
"Let's be very honest," said Scanlon. "I'm operating as mayor but there's also an election taking place. I'm gonna do what's right by the City of Buffalo and we think that 8% is right where you need it to be right now.
" Over the weekend, Ryan presented his own "gap" plan , which involve borrowing money to close the city's projected deficit. And, although borrowing would seemingly add to it, Floss said sometimes that's not a bad idea short term because it allows time to plot a sounder course for the future..
