Revenue shortfall threatens layoffs in Buffalo police force, utility crews

In their first day in office, the new Buffalo City Council members dealt with some major issues: financial woes and personnel.

After hearing from City Secretary Debbie Waters that Buffalo has no cash in the general fund except for funds that are earmarked for specific purposes and that sales tax revenues are tracking at about half of last year’s receipts, Buffalo Mayor Royce Dawkins told the council that he was going to meet with Police Chief Lance Pavelka, and then return to the council with a recommendation that the size of the city’s police force be seriously reduced. The police department is already preparing to sell some of their vehicles and equipment.

There was a brief discussion of budget and tax rates when Waters mentioned that the council could raise taxes this year by as much as 8 percent without facing the possibility of a rollback election. The comment was made by the Mayor that all the cities in Texas were facing the same kind of problems because of the effect of the recession on sales tax receipts.

Fire Chief Shaine Reeder appeared before the council and was awarded $10,000 of Hotel/Motel tax funds to be used for deposits to book bands to participate in a twoday summer concert at Harriman Park. Reeder asked for a larger amount, about $19,300 for funding the event which the Fire Department hopes will become a second major fundraiser for them. Reeder supported the request by explaining that the donations to the department have dried up following the creation of the Emergency Services District #4, but it will be several years before the fire department can expect serious funding from the ESD.

The Council tabled an item dealing with tax collection software with the firm Pritchard & Abbott, discussed renewing the curfew ordinance and agreed to seek updated costs on street improvements for use in a grant application.

Discussion and action on the remaining funding for the fire department’s proposed concert, the city employee handbook, and a mobile home ordinance were set for 7 p.m. Thursday, June 3.