Tonawanda council delays budget amendments, proposes moving $100,000 reassessment and $5,100 youth line

A special meeting of the Tonawanda Common Council on a November evening at 6 p.m. opened with a legal notice and roll call and moved quickly into budget logistics, where council members proposed postponing formal votes until absent leadership could participate.

The most immediate proposals were introduced by an unidentified council member who said, "We don't need the 100,000 for the assessment this year" and urged moving that reassessment work to 2026. The same speaker proposed eliminating a $5,100 professional‑services/salaries line for the youth board and creating or using a youth equipment and supplies line so payments are handled as reimbursements against receipts.

Council members discussed how to file amendments, debating whether to submit numerous individual resolutions or a single omnibus resolution to bundle changes. Several members said it would be fair to allow absent colleagues — including the mayor and Council President Cook, who was noted as excused — to participate before the council finalizes amendments. One council member noted that if the budget is not passed by the 18th, the prior year's budget would remain in effect and that the council retains authority to amend salary lines by resolution during the year.

Members also flagged operational concerns tied to proposed cuts. On the fuel budget, one speaker said a suggested one‑third reduction could be too deep given recent plowing and requested Department of Public Works (DPW) staff or 'Mister Franzak' attend with usage details and projections before any decision. The council discussed inviting the chair of the city cemetery committee and other committee chairs to a future meeting to explain potential savings from shared services and fundraising, noting that the special meeting did not allow public comment but did permit invited committee representatives.

Rather than adopting amendments, the council instructed the city clerk to prepare placeholder resolutions for the 18th so members could place their amendment proposals on the record and then amend on the council floor when absent leaders were present. The body then voted by voice to adjourn after a motion to do so was seconded by 'mister Fisher.' The roll call and voice vote as recorded in the meeting reflected Sheasley, Fisher and Myelam voting in the affirmative; no final budget amendments were adopted at this session.

The council is expected to reconvene business on the scheduled meeting date, when members said absent colleagues would be present to discuss the prepared placeholder amendments.