BUFFALO, NY — Mayor Sean Ryan today released his proposed 2026–2027 City of Buffalo budget, outlining a plan to close a long-standing structural deficit, invest in core services, and restore fiscal stability for the first time in a generation. The proposal addresses the city’s $109 million structural gap, driven by years of flat revenues, rising costs, and imbalanced budgets.
The proposed budget prioritizes investment in the Department of Public Works and core infrastructure, including pothole repair and snow removal, as part of the administration’s broader effort to “fix the basics.” It will allow the city to acquire additional plows, hire and retain drivers and mechanics, and repair more than 600 downed streetlights.
“This budget is about doing things the responsible way,” Mayor Ryan said. “We are reinvesting in the basics and putting Buffalo on a path to stability that will allow us to deliver the services our residents deserve for generations to come. That means more money to fix our streets, upgrade our equipment, and keep our roads clear in the winter. This is how we will build a better Buffalo.”
In total, the budget includes $681 million in general fund expenditures, a 2% increase over the city’s projected $668 million in projected expenditures for the 2025–2026 fiscal year. To help close the $109 million gap, the proposal includes several new revenue sources, including an increase in the property tax levy.
For nearly two-thirds of homeowners, the increase will be less than $25 per month, with approximately one in five seeing an increase of less than $15 per month. To help residents understand the impact, the city has launched a tax comparison calculator on the Mayor’s Budget webpage, allowing homeowners to estimate changes based on their property assessment and exemptions they already receive.
Mayor Ryan also announced Breaking Down the Budget with Mayor Sean Ryan, a public event to discuss the proposed budget and answer questions from residents. The event will take place at the Buffalo Central Library auditorium at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, April 21. Participants are encouraged to register online to save time at the sign-in table.
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