<!--Rick Forgione--><table width="234" border="0" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" background="http://static.cnhi.zope.net/flashpromo/niagaragazette/images/byline_234x60.jpg" height="60"><tr><td><div align="center"><font size="3" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">By Rick Forgione</font><font face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><br /></font><font size="1" face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif"><a href="mailto:rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com">rick.forgione@niagara-gazette.com</a></font></div></td></tr></table>
The Niagara Falls City Council will vote to slash more than $200,000 from Mayor Paul Dyster’s proposed budget during a worksession today, including cuts that are expected to directly target members of Dyster’s administration.
Councilmembers declined to give specifics Wednesday but said past threats to hold key city employees more accountable will come to fruition at the 4 p.m. special meeting inside City Hall.
“There’s going to be a lot of excitement in the council chambers,” Councilman Samuel Fruscione said. “All of the heavy duties are going to happen (today).”
The council has held a handful of meetings since October to review Dyster’s proposed $79.2 million spending plan, which reduces spending by $1.7 million in the general fund and maintains the same tax levy as this year.
“I think the budget as a whole is a fiscally responsible budget,” Council Chairman Chris Robins said, “but the economic climate is very hard and accountability is important.”
Councilmembers will vote on between 30 and 40 amendments to Dyster’s plan, Robins confirmed. The mayor will then have the opportunity to review the amendments and veto any he deems unwarranted. The council can override any mayor veto with a “super majority” vote of at least four of the five members in favor.
“It’s important to point out that this is a process,” Robins said. “Any of the cuts we do make, we’re looking forward to what the mayor’s response will be and justification of why they’re needed in the budget.”
After being presented the budget Oct. 1, councilmembers said they were considering personnel changes in the city’s consolidated planning and economic development department, which is supervised by Economic Development Director Peter Kay. He was the main target of criticism during an Oct. 14 worksession during which councilmembers repeatedly asked him to justify his annual $100,000 salary and detail what projects he’s spearheaded since being hired a year ago.
Kay’s position is expected to be among the cuts voted on by councilmembers today. There’s also ongoing discussion to reduce the annual salary of City Administrator Donna Owens.
“I have a feeling that eyebrows will be raised,” Councilman Robert Anderson said. “I have received my guillotine from France and I’m letting the rope go.”
Robins would not identify specific personnel members but did confirm the council’s budget cuts will include about 15 proposed salary increases. He added any pay increase that is not required by contracts or mandates is being removed.
Another hot topic this budget season has been the proposed $1.7 million allocation for the Niagara Falls Public Library. Betty Babanoury, who resigned last week as library executive director, has said an additional $65,664 is needed to maintain operations.
Despite the request, Robins said Wednesday the allocation will remain “at status quo” but additional funds could be taken out of a contingency line at a later date if deemed necessary. He pointed out the library is currently undergoing an audit and Babanoury’s replacement is still being sought.
“There’s still a lot of questions over the library’s budget that will be going past the budget process,” Robins said.
IF YOU GO
WHAT: City Council special budget worksession
WHEN: 4 p.m. today
WHERE: City Hall, 745 Main St.
DETAILS: Councilmembers will be voting on more than $200,000 in possible cuts to Mayor Paul Dyster’s proposed 2010 budget.
