BUFFALO, N.Y. — The Erie County Comptroller is sounding the alarm that the county is headed for a deficit due to the coronavirus pandemic.
In a letter to the Erie County Legislature, Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw (R) says the projected revenues for the remainder of the year will not exceed the amounts appropriated and the deficit is projected to be more than 50% of the county's un-designated, unreserved fund balance for 2019.
Local municipalities are expected to receive less state aid this year, due to the pandemic.
Mychajliw says he is calling on the county executive to submit a plan in seven days to the legislature to overcome the deficit.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz said last week, the county is facing a shortfall of more than $200 million, just on sales tax alone, and hotel tax revenue has dried up.
Cuts seem inevitable.
"We are seeking a proposal from each department office to provide us a 13.1 percent cut across the board. We've asked them to provide this stat by May 15," Poloncarz said.
2 On Your Side spoke by phone to Congressman Brian Higgins, who was asked, when can local governments expect those funds?
"In calls with my leadership today in the House and the Senate, we are discussing a bill my hope is the bill can be negotiated this weekend or early next week," Higgins said.
