Buffalo Common Council adopts resolution to address $40 million budget shortfall

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- The Buffalo Common Council announced Tuesday that it has adopted a resolution to implement a series of measures designed to ensure the fiscal stability of the city.

The resolution calls for several key actions and was introduced in response to a $40 million budget shortfall, with even larger deficits anticipated in future budgets.

Buffalo Common Councilmember Bryan Bollman has been a member of the Buffalo Financial Committee since 2020. He said he has worked on budgets with larger deficits before, but they had ARP funding from the COVID-19 pandemic to help fill the gap.

Now, the city is in a position where it relies on $40 million that is no longer available.

"It really hit me at the start of this budget year," Bollman said. "I think we really need to scrutinize everything coming before us, so I felt it was important to come out, myself and some members of our leadership team, saying we're going to be watching the decisions we make."

The resolution has been in the works for a few months. Majority Leader Leah Halton-Pope said she views the city's budget the same way she views a household budget.

"Every week, every month, you have to live by a budget. That's how we live," Halton-Pope said. "How many bills do I need to pay? How much income am I taking in? What do I have leftover to spend on the fun things? If you budget properly, then I think as a city we'll be rightsized."

Bollman said he has been receiving calls from Buffalo residents who say they have been feeling the effects of the tax increase that was included in the last budget.

He said one of his goals is to do everything he can moving forward to alleviate the financial burdens some residents have had to face.

"That's dollars that could be going to their bills or food on the table," Bollman said. "I do not take it lightly which is why I'm saying we need to get in front of this, we need to collaborate."

Bollman said he is currently unsure if the resolution will cut the $40 million deficit completely. He also said Buffalo could benefit from financial help from New York State in the form of grants to get back on track.

The key actions, according to the Buffalo Common Council, are as follows:

• Council appointment to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority: The resolution requests that a member of the Buffalo Common Council, selected by the council president, be appointed to the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority by New York State, the appointing authority.
• Detailed monthly vacancy reports: The Administration and Finance Department is being requested to provide detailed monthly vacancy reports to the Common Council. These reports will include civil service, exempt, and union employee vacancies, along with budget line details and the contractual status of vacant positions.
• Comprehensive review of non-revenue generating activities: The Department of Administration and Finance, in collaboration with the Comptroller’s Office, the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority, and department heads, are being requesting to conduct a thorough review of all non-revenue generating programs, non-contractually obligated costs, and other expenditures that can be suspended to reduce future budget deficits.
• Strategies for revenue generation: The resolution requests the departments to explore strategies to enhance revenue generation, including proactively collecting adjudicated funds owed to the City of Buffalo, reviewing and updating fee schedules, pursuing grant opportunities, and leveraging public and private partnerships.
• Monthly budget status meetings: The resolution requests the city comptroller and the Department of Administration and Finance to meet with the Common Council monthly to discuss the budget status. These meetings will include detailed accounts of expenditure reductions, gap reports, revenue enhancements, and the impact of the four-year plan.

Trina Catterson joined the News 4 team in 2024. She previously worked at WETM-TV in Elmira, a sister station of WIVB. See more of her work here.