Various department heads in the city of Dunkirk had statements to support the vetoes announced by Mayor Wilfred Rosas’ regarding the $24 million budget passed by Common Council on Tuesday evening.

City Treasurer Mark Woods, in a letter included in the veto message noted: “The proposed amendments to the 2021 city of Dunkirk budget result in no financial change to the overall revenues and expenditures. The net result to the bottom line is zero. However, the internal decreases proposed will adversely affect the daily operation of City government.”

Woods said the decrease in the law department personnel services line will force the city attorney, currently Richard Morrisroe, to cut his hours which in Wood’s opinion will increase the need for outside counsel costing city taxpayers more.

Fiscal Affairs Officer Marsha Beach echoed these sentiments, citing the difference in the cost of the city attorney using Zip Recruiter as a reference point. Beach states that a city attorney with five-plus years experience would cost the city roughly $81,370 and a bilingual one, which in her opinion is desperately needed in Dunkirk with similar experience would cost $92,695.

At Morrisroe’s current pay rate of $62,000 the city is saving $30,000 citing the national average and dropping him down to $45,000 would be detrimental to the city in her opinion.

“A part-time attorney will certainly force the city to seek outside legal counsel and representation,” Beach writes. “Based on city attorney reduced to part-time due to proposed amendment, and average billable hours of 10 hours per week from an outside attorney at the average cost per billable hour of $268, the city taxpayers can expect to pay out an additional $139,360 in legal fees in 2021. Again, this proposed change will not save taxpayer dollars, it is going to cost us $100,000-plus.”

Woods also spoke of the elimination of the part-time employee line saying that “The elimination of the part-time employees line in the development department will affect the summer promotions and special events that residents anticipate.”

He points out adequate staffing is required for successful events and “that it is not feasible or rational to rely on volunteers to staff and be held accountable for the outcome of these events.”

Beach also shared her feelings on this, noting the elimination of the position will “drastically affect our Thursday night on the Pier and other festivals. If the council eliminates the summer help, I don’t see how the city can possibly pull off the summer events our residents have come to enjoy.”

Director of Planning and Development Rebecca Wurster also chimed in with a letter regarding the part-time positions.

“I believe that this part time funding goes greater than providing funds to help with these festivals and events,” Wurster said. “As you know, we have recently invested millions of dollars into our Pier and Waterfront District. This summer will bring additional public investment from our Lake Shore Drive Complete Streets Project, the added kayak launch, new Adirondack chairs, large scale games, and a private development project at 23-25 Lake Shore Drive West. With the addition of these new projects and the increase of people coming to our waterfront, I see the need for extra hands around our Pier and waterfront area. I could see the use of these funds going towards someone that looks over our Pier and waterfront, keeps the area clean, helps with the kayak launch, makes sure our landscaping is flourishing, helps with small maintenance tasks, etc. I do believe that the part-time help is also needed at the festivals and events, but understand that those are still in question for the 2021 season. I would request and recommend that you keep some additional funds for part time help to continue the great momentum and recognition our beautiful waterfront is receiving and make Dunkirk a destination place on not only the weekends but every week day as well.”

The DLDC allocation was also discussed in Woods’ letter, citing the drastic change to the fireworks display on the Fourth of July and the fact that city properties will have to transfer ownership from the DLDC in order to pay the county, school and city taxes or else risk foreclosure.

Beach shares similar concerns citing that $30,000 of the $45,000 allotment is strictly for fireworks and that that is not budgeted “anywhere else.”

“This amendment will also force the DLDC board to transfer the City properties back to the city,” Beach says. “And of course, those taxes, insurance and maintenance fees are not budgeted for anywhere else.”

Finally Woods addressed the $10,000 the Common Council wants to budget for retained legal counsel.

“I further disagree with the allocation of $10,000 for the Common Council budget line item for retained legal counsel. The Charter of the city of Dunkirk provides for a city attorney,” Woods wrote. “There is no need to budget for an additional source of legal expertise when one is currently available. This is contrary to the Charter of the City of Dunkirk and to those individuals who helped establish the document. I believe this change sets a dangerous precedent and will open the door for other departments within the City government to seek the same allocation for outside legal representation.”

As part of the budget process residents can view the proposed and amended budgets in the City Clerk’s Office. They have also been posted on the city’s website to be viewed at citizen’s convenience. The link is www.cityofdunkirk.com/government/departments/finance–and–treasury/audits–and–budgets.php so residents do not have to enter the building during the pandemic.

Council, which voted 5-0 to pass the budget with the changes, is expected to override the vetoes easily.