Buffalo Common Council approves amended city budget

Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - The Buffalo Common Council approved an amended city budget Wednesday night that lowers the Mayor's proposed 9% tax levy hike to 4.19% for homeowners and 7.5% for commercial properties.

"We need to rightsize this city for its budget," said North District Councilman Joe Golombek. "How do you rightsize the city? Well, you live within your budget."

Fillmore District Councilman Mitch Nowakowski had been a vocal opponent of Mayor Brown's budget. He said Wednesday the city has overestimated income projections from cannabis, real estate, property and sales tax.

"The fact of the matter is city government, either the Common Council in conjunction with the Mayor can make decisions, or a control board will come in here and start seeing numbers on a piece of paper and start cutting," said Nowakowski.

The Council also voted to reduce vacant exempt positions.

Changes to recycling had been under consideration, but weekly recycling will continue as scheduled.

The budget was approved by a unanimous vote.

The Mayor has 10 days to veto the amendments made to the budget.