By Mark Scott
Buffalo, NY – Buffalo Mayor Anthony Masiello is planning more employee layoffs to close part of the remaining $7 million gap in this year's city budget.
Masiello is not disclosing the number of layoffs he's planning. But they would affect temporary and provisional employees in Buffalo, many of whom work in the city's public works, parks and streets departments.
The city laid off 75 employees in November.
The city is also planning to use cash reserves from the city's 2000-2001 budget to reduce the shortfall. City Comptroller Anthony Nanula said he expects a final audit will show the fund balance as of June 30, 2001 will total $2.7 million.
In Jamestown, the City Council voted five to four Monday night to approve the city's 2002 budget. It will raise taxes for property owners by 13 percent. The budget will also result in the layoff of police officers and firefighters. The exact number of job losses has not been determined. Mayor Sam Teresi has five days to decide whether to sign or veto the budget.