By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – Mayor Anthony Masiello unveiled his proposed budget for the 2005-06 fiscal year Friday. Masiello says there are no surprises in his spending plan.
It appears the City of Buffalo is on the road to financial recovery. The Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority continues to steer city spending. But Mayor Masiello says his proposed spending plan was created by his own team, saving the city even more money than last year. Maseillo says his plan spends $13.7 million less than the current year's budget.
"This budget doesn't need any borrowing, any tax increase and certainly that is very good news," Masiello said. "We have reduced our workforce which is 80 percent of our cost."
In fact, Masiello's budget package would actually offer a small decrease in property taxes for some residents. The rate is expected to drop by 3.4%. But city residents will see an eight percent hike in their garbage user fee. Masiello says that is a direct result of the county's fiscal mess. The garbage transfer station was returned to the city. Masiello says Buffalo must now come up with $1.8 million to pay for it.
"Unfortunately we are going to raise the user fee by eight percent. We worked very hard to keep other costs down so we can limit that increase," Masiello said. "It will be, on average, about $12 a year per family."
Council President David Franczyk tells us he's pretty certain they will be able to deliver another balanced budget to the control board and citizens.
"I think it is noteworthy that you see a fiscal melt down in the county where basic services are being stopped. In the city, that has not happened," Franczyk said. "We are determined to continue to provide basic services at the lowest cost possible."
The Mayor's proposed budget will also deliver $68 million to the Buffalo School District. Masiello says that is the same funding level the district currently receives.