LACKAWANNA, N.Y. — Even with recent significant property tax levy increases in the city of Buffalo, town of Amherst, and village of Kenmore - now the Lackawanna City Mayor is suggesting a much bigger increase for her community.
Mayor Annette Lafallo was not available for an interview Sunday but we confirmed the information and got the city's posted Facebook video.
There was actually a public hearing this past Thursday on this proposal, again Mayor Lafallo is now asking City Council to override the state's guideline of a two percent tax levy cap and actually consider a 23.6 percent increase in the tax levy to generate over 15.8 Million dollars in new revenue for the city budget.
City officials say the loss of 4.3 Million dollars in city revenue includes now ending federal funding from COVID relief.
Other factors include contract raises for city union workers, 1.8 Million for January snow removal without any compensation, and even the 1.16 Million dollar cost for a new City Hall.
If completely approved by Lackawanna city council this move could increase property taxes by another $378 dollars a year on a $100 thousand dollar assessed home.
Frustrated residents questioned city officials with only the City Attorney saying he could offer any explanations in a designated public hearing.
Dr. David Zambron spoke at the hearing and asked "Before you raise taxes usually most people look at the internal workings of the city and find out what could be cut first. Can we have two - three people who work in the same job - can they be consolidated into one?"
City Attorney John Gaughan responded "The Mayor went to all the department heads and asked that you look at the 2023 - 24 budget and see what you can cut. And cuts were made from whatever line items in each budget. So cuts have been looked at."
The Mayor's plan does not call for any city employee layoffs with the City Attorney saying doing so could affect city services and overtime might be worse for the city.
But there will be not be new hiring and no new police or fire academy classes.
City Council, which can still make cuts in the Mayor's $34 Million dollar spending plan, must approve a new Lackawanna City budget by the end of this month.
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