Council Members Feel Confident They'll Reduce Proposed City Tax Hike

Dunkirk city lawmakers are in the middle of reviewing the tentative 2027 spending plan put forth earlier this month by Mayor Kate Wdowiasz. Two members of the Common Council gave an update on WDOE's "Viewpoint" program on Tuesday, right before the lawmakers' second review session. Second Ward Councilman Frank Torain says their review began last week by examining the DPW's budget, line-by-line, with Director Randy Woodbury and Deputy Director Michael Przybycien...

Frank Torain: some areas we could trim

Torain says the council is not at the stage where it's ready to announce where they could make potential cuts. Third Ward Councilman Gary Frederickson says each department needs to be accountable for any spending increases. He feels confident that the council will be able to trim Wdowiasz's proposed 11.3% tax hike...

Gary Frederickson: single digits would be a win

Torain also believes the council will be able to get that figure down, based on his initial look at the budget. One more review session on the tentative $22.8 million budget is scheduled for next Tuesday, November 3rd at 9:00 AM in the Stearns Building, which will be open to the public. Lawmakers have to adopt a final budget by December 15th.

Click here to listen to the entire "Viewpoint" interview featuring Frank Torain and Gary Frederickson.

Photo by Greg Larson