By Eileen Buckley
Buffalo, NY – The Buffalo Common Council has issued a list of priorities for the upcoming fiscal year. Lawmakers are calling on the Administration to consider several items as Mayor Byron Brown prepares his proposed budget that will be released May first.
The Council's Fiscal Action Plan outlines several priorities from economic development improvements to environmental and tourism initiatives. Council president David Franczyk says some of the requests could enhance city revenues, but other items would need more cash.
"Some ideas perhaps will cost funding in the short term, but in the long term can generate revenue for the city of Buffalo," said Franczyk.
The Council is also asking the City to provide $40 million to continue demolishing vacant property. "You don't know if you are going to get that absolute amount. But we do know this much, we have the resources and we are going to vote on a budget that is not going to jeopardize basic services to the City of Buffalo," said Franczyk.
Lawmakers are calling for more shovel ready land, better public safety, support of the crack down against quality of life crimes, monitoring city boards, agencies and authorities, and addressing environmental needs such as Hickory Woods. The Council is also seeking better housing initiatives to improve home ownership. Franczyk says the council's priority list should not surprise the Administration.
"Each council member has approached the administration whether it was about Hickory Woods, the Peace Bridge, or ordinances. So none of this should come as a surprise. We have been discussing these issues right along," noted Franczyk.
Despite the latest controversy surrounding the Seneca Nation's downtown casino, the fiscal action plan supports the Mayor's proposed legislation to designate Buffalo as a host community for the casino and receive 100% of the local share of revenues. That would generate between five million and seven million. Buffalo's new fiscal year begins July first.