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Council approves new municipal software and extends auditor contract with budget cap added
Summary
After public concern about missing dollar amounts and the city's fiscal condition, Dunkirk council amended and approved resolutions to extend the independent auditor contract and to adopt GovSense municipal software with language limiting payments to budgeted amounts.
The Dunkirk Common Council on Tuesday amended and approved two finance-related resolutions: an extension of the city's independent auditor services and the selection of GovSense as the city’s new municipal software provider. Both resolutions were amended on the floor to state that the total amounts paid shall not exceed the applicable budgeted maximum.
Resolution 23, extending the city’s auditor services (Dresher Malecki named as auditor in the resolution), was amended to add the budget cap language and then adopted by unanimous roll-call vote.
Resolution 25, authorizing the mayor to enter into an agreement with GovSense for comprehensive municipal software services, prompted debate over cost, vendor experience and implementation fees. Several residents and speakers asked for clearer dollar figures before approval: Tom Milechka said that similar resolutions previously included specific amounts and line‑item information and asked, “If we're gonna spend big bucks on the computer system, you don't need additional programming to make that work.” Chris Pankauski cited audit findings and lacking line-item detail, saying no resolution should be presented without clearly defined cost and payment methods.
City finance and administrative leaders defended the selection and budget treatment. Mayor Doviaz and financial affairs officer Luzkowiak said GovSense was selected after review and that funding fits within the current budget; Luzkowiak and personnel director Davis were cited as supporters. Officer Escobia (implementation lead) said the city had pursued demonstrations, vendor research and discussions for more than a year. The mayor also said some grant funding may help subsidize implementation.
Council member Zatorski moved an amendment mirroring the auditor resolution’s budget cap; the motion passed and the amended GovSense resolution subsequently passed on a roll call in which Council member Nichols voted no and other members voted yes. The amended resolution passed with a 4–1 vote.
The resolutions do not change the adopted 2025 budget; council members added the budget-cap language to ensure expenditures remain within already budgeted limits. Questions remain about the implementation and recurring support cost: council discussion referenced a $300,000 budget line for the software and a cited additional $100,000 for implementation/support, but the resolution text does not enumerate recurring future costs or a locked multi-year price. The council directed no further formal action at the meeting beyond passage of the amended resolutions.
