Buffalo budget woes enliven City Council discussions

Financial limitations seemed to color almost every topic that the Buffalo City Council took up at their regular meeting at the Buffalo Senior Center Monday night December 14th. Amid reports of the audits proceeding and difficulties with the pres- ent system, the Council voted to replace the city’s current health care system with one that would hopefully cover more people at less expense to the city.

The move to TML (Texas Municipal League) coverage will cost the city $353.38 per employee which is a substantial savings over the current plan.

Councilwoman Diane Ryder questioned Police Chief Lance Pavelka about who the current reserve deputies were, and expressed concern about the City’s liability for using Reserve Officer Larry Wittington and his dog to clear Brookshires following the recent telephone bomb threat. Pavelka replied that the scene was cleared much quicker because of the use of the dog, and that it was done at no cost to Brookshires.

In the discussion about finances it was pointed out that all of the property tax collected and all of the water income was devoted to the payment of debt, leaving only a declining sales tax and court collections to run the city.

“I am not happy with what our current financial state is, and if there is no improvement we will have to make some drastic decisions.” Councilwoman Ryder said.

“We were put ‘way into debt 10 or 15 years ago with no consideration of how we would pay for it.” Mayor Royce Dawkins said.

Bryan District Engineer Catherine Hejl presented a check for $4000 from TxDOT to the Buffalo Police Dept.