Buffalo, NY – For the 14th consecutive year, Mayor Byron W. Brown won Buffalo Common Council approval for his Fiscal Year 2019-2020 Budget that promotes economic development and increases Buffalo’s capacity to make critical investments in City services. The amended version adopted by the Council of Mayor Brown’s $508 million budget plan for the coming fiscal year, beginning on July 1, 2019, directed additional funding to support youth, public safety and public works.
“I thank members of the Buffalo Common Council for their thorough review of my conservative and balanced budget that continues to achieve growth and savings,” said Mayor Brown. “I’m pleased that by working together the Council and my Administration have reached an early agreement, and we will continue to work together on our shared focus of making Buffalo a City of opportunity for all people, that delivers services with professionalism and efficiency.”
Buffalo Common Council President Darius G. Pridgen stated, “The Common Council has continued to work with the Mayor’s Administration to pass a fiscally responsible budget this year that provides additional investments in infrastructure and public safety, increases access to residential services and launches innovations that will help Buffalo stake out a leadership position in protecting the environment. This budget also maintains the City’s commitment to preserving low tax rates and maintaining the strong economic development throughout the City.”
Mayor Brown’s structurally balanced budget builds on last year’s budget of rightsizing City of Buffalo finances to reflect the City’s needs and projected growth while also setting the stage to make long-term investments that will make Buffalo smarter, stronger, safer and more equitable. The $508.6 million spending plan is $4.9 million less than in FY 18-19. This is an approximately 1% decrease, reflecting efficiencies and savings achieved through growth and the prosperity of Buffalo’s regional economy. This year’s spending plan continues Mayor Brown’s fiscally conservative budgeting practices, and does not rely on non-recurring revenue sources.
During its budget approval process, the Buffalo Common Council made some amendments to the FY 2019- 2020 Budget. They include:
- Added $187,520 for the Summer Youth Internship and Employment program to ensure additional work opportunities for City youth
- Additional support in the amount of $417,000 to the Buffalo Police Department for the full implementation of its program to arm officers with TASERS
- An additional $145,000 for public art across the City of Buffalo
- Additional personnel in the Department of Public Works for community engagement and specific infrastructure project management
By City Charter, the Budget became official when the Council passed it today; it takes effect on July 1, 2019. For more information, the initial proposed budget can be viewed online at www.buffalony.gov.