A quick look at the 2024 Dunkirk budget offers an obvious glimpse into the potential financial troubles looming for the city. The document shows that the amount to be raised by property taxes is $5.3 million. That’s it.

Last July, the city approved a loan for $5.5 million due to cash-flow issues. If this loan has not yet been paid back, the property taxes do not cover what is owed.

That is a large part of Dunkirk’s problem.

A special council meeting is scheduled for Wednesday evening to discuss how the city is going to move forward. New York state’s Legislature and governor are already in the loop on these issues.

This corner has been an advocate for smaller government — in the county and municipalities. Even when the cash cow of NRG payments in lieu of taxes went away, Dunkirk’s budget continued to increase. The 2024 amount is more than $26 million.

Increasing government spending, especially without the gift of COVID monies, are unsustainable. How many more communities will be facing tough lessons?