Acting mayor responds to budget critique

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) -- Acting Mayor Chris Scanlon responded to Buffalo Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams' critique of his proposed budget for the upcoming fiscal year on Friday.

In a statement released on Thursday, Miller-Williams said that while Scanlon's proposed budget is "technically balanced," she had concerns about the city's "continued reliance on nonrecurring revenue sources." Scanlon has proposed the sale of city-owned parking ramps to provide a boost in revenue and help balance the upcoming budget.

"This has become a recurring practice throughout the past few years and clearly poses a long-term risk to the fiscal stability of the City of Buffalo," said Miller-Williams.

Scanlon responded with a statement Friday, saying that his plans to sell parking ramps -- as well as his proposal to add a 3% hotel bed tax -- are strategic moves for the future.

“The proposed Buffalo Parking and Mobility (BPMA) and the 3% hotel bed tax are not ‘financial gimmicks’ or ‘one-time revenue sources,' " Scanlon said. "BMPA will provide an influx of approximately $40-$50 million in cash, generate about $2.5 million in annual recurring revenue, relieve the city of its maintenance and capital expenses from the ramps, and provide parking rate protections for residents, the public and visitors."

Senator April Baskin said in a statement that proposals by the city "raise several red flags."

She posed several questions about the proposed Parking Authority, asking about how yearly revenue would be recouped, the condition of the parking garages, and the possibility of parking rates increasing to name a few.

"Bottom line? Passing these proposals will NOT fill the current budget hole," Baskin said. "It's time to crunch realistic numbers, not rely on magical thinking."

This is not the first time that Scanlon and Miller-Williams have had their differences. In January, Miller-Williams wrote that the city had not designated the use of $2.5 million in unused ARPA funds ahead of a Dec. 31 deadline. Scanlon strongly rejected those claims.