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By: Arthur Pappas

Mayor of North Tonawanda

As COVID 19 restrictions continue in NYS, budgetary practices are difficult to finalize.  The process has been ongoing to develop a budget for 2021. 

Keeping this in mind, I want to inform residents that the date of Oct. 1, 2020 will require an extension.  Citing various factors for the delay are as follows:

–       State aid was cut this year by 20%

–       The State has not given any projections for 2021 Revenue sharing

–       Funding is going down while personal services go up due to contracts

–       NYS highway assistance funding is being delayed with no feedback on when it will be expected

–       Funding is being lost while expenses are contractual rising due to step increase and rates of 2%

–       Minimum wage will increase for part time employees in 2021

–       There is no update on Chips funding money that will be received

–       The Federal Government has not given assurance for stopgap funding

–       Departments are being instructed to reexamine their budget requests due to the negative impact of the coronavirus

Residents need to understand the unusual circumstances for this year’s budget.  The budget and sales tax revenue by the county was on track to exceed projections before COVID 19.  Therefore, a budget for 2021 will be presented when we have specific knowledge as to what our funding will be for the future year.