Buffalo, NY—Mayor Byron W. Brown submitted his recommended 2019 Capital Budget Proposal to the Common Council today. This year’s $23.2 million Capital Budget submission contains funding for many of Buffalo’s public cultural and sports facilities, increases funding for streets and City infrastructure, and makes critical investments in enhancing public safety.
The Capital Budget reflects Mayor Brown’s continued commitment to making Buffalo a City that people want to live, work, play and learn in. The $4.5 million investment in public cultural, educational, parks, athletic and recreational facilities will ensure that these venues and spaces remain centers of excellence and premiere tourist destinations.
It also increases funding for City streets and sidewalks to $6.9 million in recognition of the higher demand for road repair and repaving. Also, $2.8 million has been allocated for public safety equipment and facilities that will help make the City safer and meet the operational and training needs of Buffalo police officers and firefighters.
In addition to these critical investments, $2 million has been allocated for the first phase of a new Public Works Campus and more than $3 million has been allocated for the East Side Transfer Station, Citywide demolitions and tree plantings and removals. These investments will help the City’s operations become more cost-effective and efficient, while also maintaining the high level of service residents expect and deserve. A full list of projects is attached.
By City Charter, the Mayor is required to file his recommended Capital Budget by November 1st. The Council has until December 15th to review, amend and approve it. The Mayor’s recommended Capital Budget is crafted with input from the Citizen’s Planning Council, which reviewed over $50 million in capital project requests.
This year’s Capital Budget total was an increase over last year’s by $500,000, representing a growth rate of 2.1%. That rate is below the 2.3% inflation rate and demonstrates Mayor Brown’s ongoing commitment to a fiscally conservative budgeting approach that has responsibly stimulated the City’s economic growth.