Buffalo Common Council members call for financial accountability, contract enforcement

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) – Two Buffalo Common Council members on Friday called for the city’s corporation council and multiple commissioners to address a lack of contract enforcement, which they said is causing significant revenue loss for the city as it faces a “severe financial crisis.”

Common Council Members Leah Halton-Pope and Mitch Nowakowski said the mismanagement of contracts has cost the city millions and questioned why the full amount for violation tickets hasn’t been collected.

“As our city grapples with a financial crisis, every dollar counts,” Halton-Pope said in a news release. “It is critical that we hold our contractors accountable, ensure audits are completed, and collect outstanding payments. Failing to do so will jeopardize essential services for our residents.”

Sue’s Deli was cited as one of their examples of “contract mismanagement,” with the business owing $103,200 in unpaid rent and operating without a valid contract since 2019, they said.

According to Halton-Pope and Nowakowski, a contract with the Smith Boys, the current operator of the Erie Basin Marina, has cost the city “hundreds of thousands of dollars in potential revenue” and has not been audited every two years, which is required.

They said since 2013, when Smith Boys started operating with the marina, they have paid $1 per year in rent. The contract requires them to pay 20 percent of net profits above $80,000 annually.

American Medical Response was also listed as having to renew its contract, which expired in 2020. Nowakowski and Halton-Pope said it hasn’t paid a city franchise fee since then, costing the city an estimated $2.5 million.

Lastly, Spectrum is said to be operating without an updated contract and is in need of a new one, according to the letter.

“Our goal is to protect the city’s financial stability by ensuring compliance with contracts and maximizing revenue collection,” Nowakowski said in a news release. “We can no longer afford to let these issues go unchecked. It’s time for comprehensive audits and stronger oversight.”

Halton-Pope and Nowakowski are also requesting an update from the Department of Permits and Inspection services on collected fines from the past two years and “any barriers” to receiving outstanding payments.

Additionally, council members have requested the submission reports, audits and recommendations to the council to be addressed.

Katie Skoog joined the News 4 team in April 2024. She is a graduate from the University at Buffalo. You can view more of her work here .