Budget issues occupy City Council meeting

The Buffalo City Council held their regular meeting on April 12. The focus of the meeting appeared to be keeping a close eye on the city's purse strings and dealing with isues that come up to challenge the budget.

Ken Jones gave the BEDC's quarterly report for the second quarter of 2010, showing a general fund balance of $376,917 at the end of March. Jones confirmed that the Tri-County Horseshoe Club has completed Phase I of the improvements the City is helping fund through the BEDC, and proposed the Council now approve an additional $58,142+ from BEDC funds to complete Phase II.

Representing the horseshoe club, Paul Kennedy ad- dressed an question he has been getting: "Everyone asks us 'What would happen if the horseshoe facility fails?' If that should ever happen, everything will go to the City of Buffalo." Councilwoman Dianne Ryder suggested that the City Attorney draw up a formal document with that offer, and the Council then approved the funds for Phase II.

The Council reviewed and approved the Animal Control Report.

The Municipal Court Report was also reviewed. Ryder commented that the report reflected revenue of $221,000+ for the first six months, noting "If we stay on that track, our projected revenue will be OFF about $100,000, so we still need to cut expenses in that department as much as possible." The report was then approved.

Reporting on the water and sewer project reports, Mayor Royce Dawkins and water superintendent Roy Kingsbury described water line problems near the new Pizza Hut and the new service station going in across from it. The solutions will require: (1) moving a line near the Pizza Hut 175', at the city's expense, (2) a new, larger line and a fire hydrant by the service station.

City Secretary Debbie Waters gave the tax collection report for March (M&O collected = $2,305 and I&S = $4,193.) Year-to-date, the city has collected $326,814 or 86.99+% of the total 2009 levy collected. The uncollected balance stands at $48,972. Waters' report was accepted.

Election judges had been appointed at a previous meeting. In an oversight, some were not residents in the city, so those appointments had to be rescinded. At Waters' suggestion, the Council appointed Lisa Grant as election judge and Julie Uptmor as alternate. Early voting will be April 26 - May 4, and the election is May 8.

The minutes of the 3-22 meeting were approved as presented.

Outstanding bills were discussed. Mayor Dawkins challenged a bill from Electro Mac which he thought should have been billed elsewhere, and that one was put on hold to be researched further. Ms. Ryder abstained from the vote on the fuel bill.

The Council considered Budget Adjustment #1. Ryder pointed out that the estimated revenue figures may need to be adjusted down to reflect actual revenue coming in due to low sales tax and municipal court taxes collected. "I think we need to keep in mind that there's a projected $200,000 shortfall." Ryder also challenged a salary for the upkeep of the parks coming out of Hotel/ Motel tax money. The Budget Adjustment was approved with suggested changes.

Councilmembers were presented with a copy of the draft for the employee handbook. Mayor Dawkins recommended they look it over before April 26th meeting and bring any recommendations for changes.

City Attorney Gayle Ray presented a mobile home ordinace for the Council to review.