Dunkirk passes 84% property tax hike

DUNKIRK, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Dunkirk residents will see an increase in property taxes for 2025 -- and it's a big one.

As residents head into the new year, they'll soon face a property tax hike of 84%. That spike means the rate will jump to $33.82 per $1,000 of assessed property value.

Councilman At-Large Nick Weiser said for decades there has not been any meaningful property tax increases. Weiser pointed out that the approved 84% increase is actually lower than Dunkirk Mayor Kate Wdowiasz's initial proposal of 108%. He said a large deficit, the long-lasting effects of the NRG Plant closure and inflation all contributed.

Councilmembers confirmed there will be a small reduction in city personnel; however, the exact number of changes has yet to be made public.

"We tried to touch personnel as little as possible," Weiser said. "We don't want to see people losing their jobs. But we also have to make sure that the services we're providing and our workforce are well aligned with the reductions in population that we've seen in this community in the past 20 years or so."

Weiser says there won't be a decrease in existing essential services.

"The median assessed property value in the City of Dunkirk is roughly $50,000," said Weiser. "So for most households, this tax increase is going to represent about a $60 per month increase on the year."

Councilman Weiser told us no stone was left unturned in finding potential savings or reductions.

"I don't want to see this kind of increase for our city's residents," Weiser said. "Unfortunately given the current climate, our hands were tied in ways that I didn't anticipate, and I don't think the majority of us did anticipate."

He said the City of Dunkirk and the Village of Fredonia are now exploring the idea of merging police and fire services.

First Ward Councilwoman Natalie Luczkowiak said the council is continuing to review opportunities to boost revenues in 2025 so property taxes can be lowered the following year.

Mayor Wdowiasz declined an on-camera interview regarding the tax hike.

Dunkirk resident Brittany Cerrie-Allen said she understands homeowners were due for an increase, but wished it would've been handled differently.

"As we all know, Dunkirk does have some of the lower taxes in the county," Cerrie-Allen said. "I think we were due for some sort of increase ... 84% does seem like a shock, but I think it's important to remember that it is the city taxes, not the county or the school taxes."

"I do think it will put pressure (on families) and I do wish it could have been done gradually, and not just such a shock to the entire community -- 84% does seem like a lot at one time. ... I hope that this is a one-time deal and that we're not going to continue to see increases and we're just going to kind of level out to where we need to be."

Other residents like Corey Kaus said they're unhappy with the tax increase. Kaus said his family is already feeling the crunch to afford everyday needs.

"I've lived at this house for five years now and taxes are insane," Kaus said. "They're pretty much stealing our money and doing whatever they want with it and we have no say."