BUFFALO, N.Y. — Acting Buffalo Mayor Chris Scanlon confirmed with 2 On Your Side that he met with the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority earlier in the week to discuss the city's finances.
The acting mayor says that he's doesn't believe there is $41 million in American Rescue Plan funds that are unobligated either.
"First, I would say, I don't know how accurate that number is right now," Scanlon said. "We're working through that."
WGRZ pressed the acting mayor on that notion, however.
"So right now you don't know how much of that money is unobligated from the rescue plan?" 2 On Your Side asked.
"I don't," Scanlon said. "Right now we're trying to finalize exactly what's not been obligated, what we might not be able to get out the door."
Scanlon reiterated that nothing is set in stone with whatever money is available.
"There's no plan right now to do anything, just like any year with any budget. We'll look at our revenues, we'll look at our expenses and do everything we can to make sure we provide a budget that provides high-quality services and limits the financial impact on our residents," the acting mayor said.
While there might not be a plan, one that could be executed quickly that is, Scanlon did not rule out using the funds either.
"One thing I don't want to do is ever give it back to the federal government," Scanlon said. "I want to make sure we're using it, but make sure we're using it for the intended purposes."
The money has to be obligated and out the door, so to speak, by Dec. 31.
One of the reasons there are ARPA funds left over is because the City of Buffalo hasn't finalized contracts with the community groups the money was promised to.
Sources say part of that lies on the shoulders of those groups, but also a failure of the previous administration to not stay on top of it.
Scanlon says he will meet with members of the Common Council in the near future to discuss the situation.
"There's not going to be some sort of last-minute surprise on anything you know. For 12 and a half years on the council, I preach collaboration, and you're going to continue to get that out of me with my partners in government." Scanlon said. "So again, if there's something we have to do here, if we have to pivot, there will be no surprise to them."