Tonawanda council adopts local law to allow 2026 tax levy above state cap; approves contracts for roof, splash pad

The City of Tonawanda Common Council on the evening of the meeting adopted Local Law No. 1 (2025), authorizing the city to adopt a 2026 budget with a real property tax levy in excess of the limit set by New York State General Municipal Law, Article 2, Section 3C. The council also approved contract awards for the Department of Public Works administration building roof design and the Culver Park splash pad, and allowed audited bills. One resolution was tabled.

The local law authorizes the council to override the state tax cap for the fiscal year beginning Jan. 1, 2026, as permitted by subdivision 5 of General Municipal Law Article 2, Section 3. Council members debated the measure before voting to adopt it by roll call. During the discussion, Council member Fisher said, “I will not ask our residents, our neighbors, to go above the tax cap and finance this,” arguing for cuts rather than a tax increase; other council members said they supported the law to give the mayor flexibility when preparing a budget.

Votes at a glance

- Resolution 1 (motion to table): A motion by Council member Milam to table Resolution 1 was seconded by Council member Raumstrom/Roundstrom and the clerk called the roll; the resolution was declared tabled on a roll-call vote.

- Resolution 2 (allow bills as audited): Sponsored by Council member Shiesley; roll-call vote recorded as aye from Cheesley/Keasley, Fisher, Raub/Raumstra, Milam and Cook. The presiding officer declared the resolution adopted.

- Resolution 3 (DPW administration building roof — design phase): Adopted on the recommendation of City Engineer Jason J. Lamonica, PE. The council approved awarding design-phase services to Clark Patterson Lee at a cost not to exceed $71,880. The council adopted the resolution by roll-call.

- Resolution 4 (Culver Park splash pad construction): Adopted on the recommendation of City Engineer Lamonica. The council approved awarding construction of the Culver Park splash pad to Groundbreaking Solutions LLC at a cost not to exceed $344,213.60. Council member Roundstrom noted that the project received outside funding, mentioning a $250,000 grant from Senator Sean Ryan and an additional $100,000 from a legislator identified in the meeting as Art Musee.

- Resolution 5 (Local Law No. 1 — tax cap override): The council considered and adopted the local law permitting a tax levy in excess of the statutory limit for the 2026 budget year. Council members debated fiscal priorities, reserve use and potential cuts before the roll-call adoption.

Formal actions and motions recorded in the meeting generally followed the clerk’s roll-call procedure and were declared adopted where the clerk announced a majority vote. The meeting record shows motions being made, seconds recorded, and roll calls taken for each adopted resolution.

Context and next steps

Council and public comments during the meeting emphasized competing priorities: some members urged fiscal restraint and sought cuts rather than higher taxes, while others said the local law was necessary to allow the mayor to propose a budget that responds to rising costs and available investment opportunities. Mayor John White and several council members referenced a recently awarded Downtown Revitalization Initiative (DRI) grant of $10,000,000 as background context for city finances and future planning.

The council’s adoption of Local Law No. 1 enables the mayor and staff to prepare a 2026 budget that may exceed the statutory cap; any specific levy increase will appear in the budget the mayor presents later in the process. Contract awards for the DPW roof and the splash pad advance design and construction work; staff will proceed with agreements consistent with the terms approved by the council.

Votes provenance

- Resolution 1 (table): topic intro evidence: "We have a motion by Mr. Milam to table resolution 1. It's been seconded by mister Roundstrom." (transcript block starting at 1529.765). topic finish evidence: clerk roll-call and declaration "Declare the resolution tabled." (transcript blocks starting at 1543.03–1555.775).

- Resolution 3 (roof design): topic intro evidence: resolution text referencing City Engineer Jason J. Lamonica and award to Clark Patterson Lee (transcript block starting at 1613.9349). topic finish evidence: roll call adoption (transcript blocks 1636.07–1650.675).

- Resolution 4 (splash pad): topic intro evidence: resolution text awarding to Groundbreaking Solutions LLC at $344,213.60 (transcript block starting at 1663.07). topic finish evidence: roll call adoption (transcript blocks 1682.92–1752.48).

- Resolution 5 (local law): topic intro evidence: full local law text introduced on the floor, including citation to General Municipal Law Article 2, Section 3C (transcript blocks starting at 1769.8301). topic finish evidence: council debate and final roll call declared the resolution adopted (transcript blocks starting at 1948.1101 and votes around 2292–2305).