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Council extends Tonawanda assessor's term to Oct. 31 while mayor and assessor continue negotiations
Summary
Council approved a one-month extension of City Assessor Katie Schultz's term to Oct. 31, 2025, to allow the mayor time to finish negotiating a new employment agreement; the extension prompted questions from council members about timing, personnel process and whether the assessor would waive privacy rights for discussion in open session.
The City of Tonawanda Common Council on Sept. 16 confirmed the mayor's extension of City Assessor Katie Schultz's appointment to expire Oct. 31, 2025, saying the additional month will allow Mayor John L. White time to complete negotiations on a new employment agreement.
The extension, approved by roll call vote, grew out of questions from council members about the status of negotiations and whether the assessor would prefer discussion of personnel matters in executive session. Councilmembers pressed for clarity about whether the assessor would remain as a part-time holdover if the extension were not approved; the record shows Schultz remains a part-time assessor supported through the CSCA while negotiations continue.
At the meeting, council members asked whether the mayor could reappoint Schultz to a six-year term separate from benefit negotiations; discussion noted that contract and benefit terms are negotiated by the mayor and ratified by council. Schultz was present during the discussion and was asked by the mayor and council whether she would be willing to waive privacy rights so some questions could be addressed in public; she answered that she had seen the extension resolution and that it was not acceptable to her in its current form, then later indicated she believed the additional time would allow completion of the negotiations and that Oct. 31 could be revisited.
Councilmember Kevin Fisher, sponsor of the extension resolution, characterized the action as a pragmatic step to keep assessor services in place while further conversations continue. The resolution states the extension keeps the assessor on the same terms and conditions as her original appointment (effective Sept. 21, 2022 through Sept. 30, 2025, per the resolution language), with the new expiration date of Oct. 31, 2025.
Why it matters: the assessor's office performs statutory property-assessment duties that affect tax bills and municipal revenue. Council members said they wanted sufficient time to review and ratify any new employment agreement once the mayor completes negotiations. The extension does not itself change compensation or duties; it preserves continuity in the office pending final agreement.
What happened next: the council voted to revisit the matter on or before Oct. 31, 2025, and asked the mayor and assessor to continue negotiations and provide any clarifications the council requests.
