The city of Dunkirk is almost two-thirds of the way through the fiscal year, but some of the plans for the budget are proving insufficient.

During the recent Finance Committee meeting, Common Council members pointed out several budget lines that were significantly over budget.

Mayor Willie Rosas explained some of the issue is unanticipated costs like a leak in the roof that had to be repaired as well as the fire department’s radio upgrades, which were planned, but also saved for in the previous year. However, others like part-time employees and tree cutting, are a different matter.

“None of those lines were budgeted appropriately,” he said, noting issues with the budget system.

Councilman-at-Large Andy Woloszyn asked what went wrong.

“There are things we said we wanted to do and they’re not in there. I didn’t catch it in time,” Rosas said, adding he would elaborate more if an executive session was called.

This was the mayor’s and three of the five council member’s first budget.

“It was a new experience. Now we will know what to look for,” Rosas added.

Line that appeared overbudget was an exception to the rule. The wastewater treatment plant’s electric bill had already eaten up it’s budget of $260,0000 that was estimated based on 2015’s and 2016’s bills. Fiscal Affairs Officer Christine Pinkoski estimated another $140,000 would be needed for the rest of the year.

City Engineer Randy Woodbury explained that is actually good news.

“That figure seems large because our industries are growing and it is creating more discharge. It should balance out on the income line,” he said.

Treasurer Mark Woods said revenues were higher than usual at around 69 percent of the estimated amount when it should be around 58 percent at this time of year.

Woodbury added improvements at the wastewater plant will also help with efficiency and decrease the city’s cost to process waste.

“Whenever there’s more discharge, it’s going to cost more, but hopefully the billing will reflect (the increase),” he said.

In the meantime, First Ward Councilman Don Williams asked Woodbury to look into solar options for savings.

There will be budget modification on the agenda at the next Common Council meeting on Sept. 5.