Buffalo council split over budget calendar; members call for committee review

Council members on June 16 debated the city’s revised budget schedule after the mayor submitted a budget under an April 8–May 26 timeline this year. Some members urged reverting to the prior May 1–May 21 schedule; others said the longer period increases transparency and provides more opportunities for amendments.

One council member said the extended 49-day period did not increase work or transparency, arguing “3 weeks is more than enough time to sit down and work on the budget,” and called for the topic to be discussed in committee. Council member Ryan countered that a longer window allows greater public engagement and criticized calls to shorten the process as a step back from transparency.

Speakers noted structural constraints from the state budget process. Multiple speakers referenced the city’s baseline state allocation, saying New York State’s contribution to Buffalo has been unchanged for years and citing a baseline of $161,000,000 that the administration expects to remain stable; one speaker also noted a planned $5,000,000 increase tied to a 2024 agreement.

Council members agreed to take the matter to the legislation committee for further review and possible policy recommendations. Several members reminded colleagues that meaningful changes to the mayor’s budget require specific amendment language and votes; adding time alone does not substitute for proposing and passing amendments.