It's set and ready to be approved. The Dunkirk Common Council will take the necessary steps to finalize and approve the city's 2013 budget after making a few changes to Mayor Anthony J. Dolce's budget proposal he submitted in October.
Since then, council has held several meetings to study the plan before coming up with its version. Dolce has already stated that he won't veto any of council's changes knowing the required four votes to override his veto were in place. The budget work starts in council's agenda under communications from the mayor.
Dolce wrote to council to recommend it appropriate $83,915 from the city's Tax Stabilization Reserve Fund to "lessen or prevent any projected increase in excess of 2.5 percent in the amount of the real property tax levy needed to finance the eligible portion of the annual budget for Fiscal Year 2013."
The reduction will leave some $400,000 in the reserve fund.
Under reports, Common Council will officially notify the city clerk that it has reviewed Dolce's 2013 budget proposal and provided a list of changes to various lines.
There are four resolutions dealing with the 2013 budget, while budget transfers for the 2012 budget are covered in another.
Resolution 102-2012 states that council has, by resolution, adopted a budget for fiscal year 2013 and approves expenditures for the specified amounts in the column labeled Adopted Budget in the General Fund, Water Treatment and Wastewater Budgets.
Under 103-2012, council amends and adopts Dolce's 2013 budget proposal.
"Resolved, that Mayor Dolce's proposed FY 2013 Budget, as amended herein, hereby is and shall be adopted as the city of Dunkirk Fiscal Year 2013 budget," the resolution states.
Both revenues and expenditures for the city's three funds match, as required, and include: General Fund - $15,092,713; Water Treatment - $2,851,120; and Wastewater Treatment - $4,015,224.
The tax warrant is set under Resolution 104-2012 at a rate of $17.301631 per $1,000 of assessed valuation based on the city's total assessed valuation of $279,201,363.
Resolution 105-2012 will allow the $83,915 in tax stabilization funds that Dolce requested to be appropriated for use.
Fiscal Affairs Officer Harry Briggs will be authorized and directed to make a total of 11 General Fund transfers, along with one in the Water Treatment Fund and three in the Wastewater Treatment Fund to balance lines in the 2012 budget under 108-2012. The total to be transferred over the three funds is $45,073.34.
Council will also be asked to approve four resolution involving city spending and one urging consumers to spend locally during the holiday season.
Under 99-102, the city will enter a five-year lease agreement at $200 per month for an office copier for the Department of Public Works.
Under 100-2012, council will direct Dolce to enter into an agreement for computer and information technology services with Douglas D. Rector of Cassadaga. Rector would be an independent contractor and paid $250 per week for a maximum of 65 hours per quarter for a period running from Nov. 21 to Dec. 31, 2013.
The construction contract for Phase II of the bicycle path and pedestrian trail project would be awarded under 101-2012. ERW Enterprises of Irving was awarded the bid. According to the resolution, ERW was the lowest responsible bid and will be paid up to a total of $372,123.60 for the work.
A lease-to-purchase agreement for narrow-band radio equipment the city is required to have under Federal Communications Commission regulations will be set if 106-2012 is approved. First Niagara Leasing, Inc. of Buffalo will provide the equipment needed by the Police and Public Works departments at a cost of $100,000 to be spread out over a five-year period.
Council will declare the week of Nov. 23 to Dec. 1 as Shoptauqua Week under 107-2012. The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce launched the buy-local initiative to "raise awareness regarding the importance of buying local, in order to support local business and the local economy," according to the resolution.
There are two pre-filed communications from the public.
Harvest Chapel's request to use Washington Park on Dec. 8 for a "Courtney Street Christmas" event is back after being pulled Nov. 5 for further information from the organizers.
City resident Christopher D. Kramer has filed a notice of claim against the city that is alleged to have arisen Aug. 11 and currently continues.
Council's meeting is set to begin at 5:30 p.m. in City Hall.
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