No escape hatch for unsustainable city pacts
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Chautauqua County's two cities remain pressure cookers for administrators who have to account for the big bucks. Within the past two weeks, both mayors announced spending plans that include tax increases that their councils will likely try to whittle down.
In Jamestown, the budget totals $47.3 million and includes a 7.39% tax hike. Salaries are projected to increase $1.2 million with more increases expected in retirement rates, health and dental insurance increases and fuel expenses
“With mounting costs that are largely outside the city’s control, maintaining a balanced budget is becoming increasingly challenging,” Mayor Kim Ecklund said. “The approach for 2027 is through careful planning, disciplined financial management, risk assessment and litigation. The city is working to preserve essential services and maintain a balanced and sustainable 2027 budget that meets the needs of Jamestown’s residents and taxpayers.”
North county Dunkirk's situation is even more dire. In announcing a $32.2 million plan for next year that includes an 11.2% tax increase, Mayor Kate Wdowiasz notes there is little wiggle room when it comes to cutting expenses.
“I send this budget with a fair amount of trepidation. I do not expect you to ‘like’ or ‘cheer’ for this budget,” Wdowiasz began her statement. “However, I would ask you to approach it with a mind of understanding what the realities are in this state and the country in which we live. While state mandates and costs continue to go up, an ever-shrinking tax base is asked to absorb more for the basic services for which our community relies on and needs.”
So where do we go from here? Alarms have been sounding regarding the status of larger municipalities across New York state for at least two years, most notably in Buffalo, Albany and New York City.
On Tuesday evening, Dunkirk's council members heard the grumblings from residents who have a right to be frustrated. After an 84% tax increase in 2025, another expensive hit to the pocketbook appears imminent.
Those who spoke during this week's session noted hardships and financial choices they are making on a regular basis to make ends meet. Inflation at the grocery stores, gas pumps and with electric bills are taking a toll on residents in both these communities where poverty rates top more than 25%.
Iron-clad contracts in the municipalities are a major culprit. According to the most recent seethroughny.net numbers, put together by the state's Empire Center for Public Policy, both entities are facing rising costs among the ranks. In Dunkirk, payroll for 2026 was $9.7 million for 161 employees, up $500,000 from 2021 when there were three fewer staff members. That's a 5% increase over those years.
Jamestown's numbers are much more dramatic. In 2021, payroll was $14.4 million for 247 employees. For 265 workers in 2026, total costs climbed to $18.4 million -- a 27.8% increase.
On those expenses alone, it would appear Dunkirk is doing a better job. But there, dwindling revenues are the problem. Once the power plant closed, an annual $4 million payment went away starting in 2016.
When generous salaries and benefits were practically given away by previous elected officials in the 20th century, no one thought the mammoth facility would ever be shuttered. That decision today has major consequences.
Jamestown's path always seems less volatile at its meetings. During this past week, budget hearings have focused on the meat of city payroll -- the police and fire departments.
While there is outright frustration in Dunkirk, the south county city often seems more subdued. Other than some banter on social media, there has been few public comments on the proposal.
That may change -- or perhaps residents are just accepting that the deck is stacked against them. Like the mayors and councils, without a drastic measure -- such as a strong control board or state edict -- there is no way to control the higher costs being borne by fewer residents.
These contracts stand the test of time and are unforgiving no matter how poor the current economic conditions. Since 1980, Jamestown's population has 8,000 fewer residents. Dunkirk has 3,000 less.
In any event, both proposals reaffirm a troubling trend in New York that is becoming an unfortunate reality in Chautauqua County. Local governments are no longer looking out for their constituents. Instead, the out-of-control costs benefit those connected to the system.
Loyal longtime residents, some living paycheck to paycheck or seniors on fixed incomes, deserve better. But until New York state does something to stem the crisis, the deck will remain stacked in favor of those working in the public sector.
That leaves the cities powerless -- and property owners on the hook.
John D'Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.