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City needs bold move

How serious is Dunkirk Common Council when it comes to dealing with its budget problems? We will see soon, especially since Mayor Willie Rosas has floated a proposal regarding a financial restructuring board for local governance.

Rosas seems on board with the idea. Already uneasy about the major problems facing the municipality of 12,500 people he oversees, the mayor knows significant changes can no longer wait.

“We need to change the structures in our different departments from the way we’re operating now,” the mayor said at last week’s council meeting. “This includes, but is not limited to, shared services with other municipalities and the county. I would also like for them to look into restructuring things like we’re still doing weekly payroll and I think we should be going to biweekly. I’m pretty sure we can incur a savings there. I would also like to offer a retirement incentive to all four unions. I know that if we accept their assistance that that’s an area that they could help us in, even if it meant that they would be helping us out financially with that possibly.”

Without question, the restructuring idea makes some council members a little more than uncomfortable. Two of the council members – Don Williams Jr. and Marty Bamonto – have connections to unions. And this financial board could have an impact on current and future city contracts in moving forward.

It may be good for the taxpayer, but not so good for the city employee.

Dunkirk’s budget is about $23 million. In a city mired in poverty, high taxes and a tough business environment, the current path cannot continue.

If council members don’t back the financial restructuring proposal, which it must before moving forward, then it will be another lost year for the city – and a greater burden for the residents.

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