Council Finishes City Budget Review, Weiser and Wdowiasz Provide Updates

The Dunkirk Common Council has concluded its review of Mayor Kate Wdowiasz's tentative 2027 city budget, and it's anticipating to incorporate an initial set of recommendations by the middle of this month. That's according to Councilman at Large Nick Weiser, who gave an update during Tuesday's council meeting. He says those recommendations will be submitted to the State Comptroller's Office for review...

Nick Weiser: 10 days to provide guidance

Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, who was a guest on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Wednesday, says she sat in on the council's final review session on Tuesday. She says council members questioned Fire Chief Nick Barter about the possibility of having a "blended" fire department that includes volunteers, similar to the Fredonia Fire Department...

Kate Wdowiasz: Barter wouldn't be opposed to it

She says another conversation focused on consolidations and mergers, which -- without the city eliminating a department -- would require state legislation. Wdowiasz also told us that she does not feel confident that lawmakers will come up with a spending plan that would fully fund the budget "the way it's needed" that she would agree to...

Kate Wdowiasz: OSC has to weigh in

A public hearing on the tentative $22.8 million budget was held prior to Tuesday's council meeting, with five members of the public voicing their thoughts and concerns. The Mayor's proposed budget calls for a property tax increase of 11.3%.

Click here to listen to the entire "Viewpoint" interview with Mayor Kate Wdowiasz.

Photos by Greg Larson