Tonawanda schedules Oct. 28 public hearing on 2026 budget; mayor cites 2% increase and 32% fund balance
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Summary
The Tonawanda Common Council voted to set a public hearing for Oct. 28 on the mayor's proposed 2026 operating budget. Mayor (name not specified) outlined a modest 2% increase and said the city's general fund balance is at about 32 percent; councilors set the hearing and approved a set of routine resolutions by roll call.
Mayor (name not specified) presented the City of Tonawanda's proposed 2026 operating budget and the Common Council adopted a resolution scheduling a public hearing on the proposal for Tuesday, Oct. 28, 2025, at 7 p.m. in council chambers.
The mayor said the proposed budget calls for a “modest 2% increase” and described an allocation from the general fund of about $3,455,000 “and change.” He recounted recent fund-balance growth—referring to multi‑million‑dollar increases since taking office—and said the general fund balance currently sits at about 32 percent.
The council voted during the meeting to add and adopt a resolution authorizing the clerk to publish notice of the Oct. 28 public hearing; council members also waived the readings of several routine resolutions, adopted multiple resolutions on the consent calendar, and tabled one item for further information.
Why it matters: the public hearing is the formal opportunity for residents to offer comment before the council is required to adopt a final budget later this fall. Council members and the administration repeatedly described the fund-balance level as a reason to limit tax increases while continuing essential services.
The council discussion and public remarks Council members discussed scheduling, public outreach and the timeline for adopting the budget. Multiple council members said department‑head workshops and roundtables are planned between now and the hearing to review department requests and line items. The council president and individual members urged residents to review the published budget and participate in the workshops and public hearing.
During public comment, a resident asked which newspaper is the city’s official paper for publication. The city clerk confirmed notices have been published in the Niagara Gazette and may run in additional local papers as needed.
Votes at a glance - Motion to amend the agenda to add a resolution scheduling a public hearing on the 2026 budget (to be held Oct. 28, 2025, at 7 p.m.) — Mover: Council President Cook; second: yes — Vote: Sheasley Aye; Fisher Aye; Rautenstrau Aye; Milam Aye; Cook Aye — Outcome: approved. - Motion to waive readings of resolutions 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 — Mover: Milam; second: Raumstrau — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: approved. - Resolution 1 (sponsored by Council Member Sheasley) — Second: Milam — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 2 (sponsored by Council Member Milam) — Second: Sheasley — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 3 — Motion to table (mover: Rautenstrau; second: Milam) — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: tabled for more information. - Resolution 4 — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 5 (amended during informal session to allow Elmwood Park closures Oct. 31 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.; see separate action) — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted (as amended). - Resolution 6 — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted. - Resolution 7 (duplicate-style resolution authorizing publication of the Oct. 28 public hearing) — Sponsor: Council President Cook; Second: Sheasley — Vote: unanimous Aye — Outcome: adopted.
What the administration said The mayor said the administration has worked with the city treasurer and department heads to avoid drastic service cuts or layoffs while keeping tax increases modest. He referenced recent audits and said auditors are scheduled to present findings to the council on Oct. 20.
Next steps and timeline - Department head workshops and informal roundtables were scheduled in the coming weeks to review line items and departmental requests. - The council must adopt the final budget by mid‑November; council members cited Nov. 18 (the transcript also referenced Nov. 21/Nov. 21/Nov. 18 interchangeably during scheduling conversation) as the statutory deadline they intend to meet. The Oct. 28 public hearing is the next formal milestone.
Context and background The meeting record shows the mayor tracing several years of fund‑balance growth and stressing a balance between retaining services and avoiding large tax increases. Council members emphasized transparency and encouraged residents to attend roundtables and the Oct. 28 hearing.
Ending note The council closed by reminding residents of upcoming meetings and encouraging public engagement during the budget review process.
