The city of Dunkirk recently found about $184,000 under its couch.

The money was stashed in an ambulance reserve fund, Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak reported at Friday’s Common Council Finance Committee meeting. She said auditors found the fund.

It was created in 2019 to back up an ambulance purchase — but the fire department wound up using its budgeted equipment line to buy the vehicle. The fund was essentially set aside, all but forgotten about.

“We’re going to need a resolution in order to use those funds,” Luczkowiak continued. Mayor Kate Wdowiasz said the money could be used for new firefighting turnout gear. It could also go towards a new command vehicle, she added.

“I would probably rank the personal command vehicle near the bottom of our list of needs,” said Fire Chief Nick Barter. The turnout gear, and simply funding the payroll including overtime, are higher priorities, he said.

“I’ll work with the mayor and figure out where it needs to be directed,” he promised.