Cheektowaga officials weigh options as 2026 draft budget shows large gaps and rising costs

Supervisor Brian Nowak and Finance Director Brian Krause framed the central challenge at the Oct. 1 budget hearing: the town faces rising contract and benefit costs, an aging fleet and buildings in need of repair, and a proposed 2026 budget gap that would require raising the tax levy unless the board cuts services, uses fund balance or phases capital purchases.

Krause said the town could draw on appropriated fund balance to reduce the immediate tax increase, but warned that drawing down reserves only delays the problem: “If we don't address the expenditure side, this issue gets recreated later,” he told the board. He presented a range of options that include using a portion of undesignated fund balance, spreading capital vehicle purchases through borrowing, or deferring equipment buys to reduce the near‑term levy impact.

Council members debated trade‑offs: some emphasized avoiding a large one‑year spike in taxes by using fund balance judiciously or borrowing for expensive vehicles; others argued against using reserves and preferred to cut discretionary services and fees or to look for revenue opportunities. The board asked departments to return with tightened requests and explicit lists of the items they consider essential.

Two procedural motions were recorded during the session: the board temporarily adjourned for lunch and later adjourned the hearing for the day; both motions passed by voice vote. The board will continue deliberations and consider amendments before adopting the final 2026 budget.