City Residents Sound Off on Potential Tax Hike for 2027

With the possibility of an 11.3% property tax increase in next year's budget for the City of Dunkirk, some residents made their feelings known during the public comment portion of Tuesday's Common Council meeting. Among them was Candy Smathers, who noted the city's 84% tax hike in 2025 and a recent local law that will raise the water rates beginning in January. She was also critical of recent pay raises for city employees, saying they need to "give it back"...

Candy Smathers: you need to feel the pain

David Alvalle says his concern goes beyond another tax hike -- it's about the city's long-term financial future...

David Alvalle: not sustainable

Robert Whittemore began attending as many city government meetings as possible after Mayor Kate Wdowiasz's first budget proposal -- which called for a 108% tax increase -- in the fall of 2024. He said the city needs to come together to fix its problems...

Robert Whittemore: not helpful to continue to blame

Wdowiasz released her proposed $22.8 million spending plan for 2027 via e-mail last Friday. The Common Council has begun reviewing the budget.

Photos by Greg Larson