What Voters Should Know
CITY OF BUFFALO COMPTROLLER BARBARA MILLER WILLIAMS
As Buffalo Voters consider the proposed Charter Amendment to enhance transparency in the City’s Budget Process this November, it is important to understand what the Proposal would change and how it could affect the way taxpayer dollars are managed.
The Amendment would allow for an earlier, independent review of the City’s financial estimates by the Comptroller’s Office. The goal is to help identify potential budget concerns sooner, giving City leaders more time to address them before the budget is submitted by the Mayor and then finalized by the Buffalo Common Council.
WHAT WOULD THE AMENDMENT DO?
By April 1, the Mayor’s Administration would be required to submit key financial estimates, including expected state aid, overtime costs, pensions, health insurance expenses, and property tax revenue. The Comptroller would review these estimates and issue a report annually by April 15, providing an early assessment of whether the numbers appear reasonable.
Why is this important? When potential financial problems are discovered late in the budget process, there may be fewer opportunities to make changes. An earlier review could help identify gaps, flag potential risks, and give City Leaders a clearer picture of the City’s financial outlook before final decisions are made.
Think of it like reviewing a household budget before making major purchases. Knowing early that expenses may be higher or income may be lower gives you more time to plan and adjust. The same idea applies to the City’s finances.
WHAT WOULD CHANGE ABOUT THE COMPTROLLER’S ROLE?
The Amendment would not replace or reduce the Comptroller’s existing oversight responsibilities. The Department of Audit and Control would continue its full budget analysis and monitoring of the City’s financial condition. Instead, the Proposal would add an earlier review, giving the Comptroller an opportunity to examine the Mayor’s Proposed Budget before it is submitted to the Common Council for approval. For Buffalo residents, this would mean greater transparency, earlier identification of financial risks, and more informed decisions about how public money is spent.
WHERE CAN YOU FIND THE AMENDMENT ON YOUR BALLOT?
Look on the BACK of the Ballot, MIDDLE row, and Locate “Budget Adoption Procedures”. It is the only proposed amendment that mentions the word “Comptroller.” By understanding this Proposal, Buffalo Voters can make an informed decision about a change that would affect the timing of independent financial review and the City’s Budget Process.