BUFFALO, N.Y. — Amendments to the mayor's 2024-25 proposed budget were adopted Wednesday night by Buffalo Common Council.
One of the biggest changes concerned a tax levy, which was originally proposed to be 9 percent. The amended budget drops that tax hike to 4.19% for residential homes.
"We are pleased to have adopted amendments that not only reduces the proposed tax increase but also maintains essential services," Christopher Scanlon, Buffalo Common Council president, said in a statement. "This reflects our commitment to lowering the tax burden on the residents of Buffalo and our dedication to fiscal responsibility."
One of those essential services Scanlon referred to was recycling pickup. There had been discussions about shifting pickup from every week to a biweekly schedule.
That won't happen, and the collections will remain as planned.
"The reduction in the proposed residential tax increase demonstrates our responsiveness to the community’s needs and our focus on lessening the financial burden on homeowners," Leah M. Halton-Pope, the Buffalo Common Council Majority Leader, said following Wednesday's sessions.