Did anyone else notice the irony of the Dunkirk Finance Committee meeting last month? During that gathering there were two topics: first was the city’s lack of paying bills it owed to the state for the retirement program. The second centered around complaints that those who owed money to the city were not paying their bills.

Is there a problem with this picture? You bet.

It is the stark realization that Common Council members — in fighting for dimes and nickels — still cannot grasp the concept that the city is broke in ginormous dollars. If New York state did not allow the municipality to borrow some $16 million, no bank or lending institution would.

Take a look at the city’s credit rating. It is delisted due to it being so poor.

While Chautauqua County lawmakers want the attorney general to investigate possible wrongdoing, the real issue comes to point No. 1: the city cannot pay its bills. Just imagine the hassle a resident would be going through if they could not cover the property tax payment to the city or county.

Meanwhile, back in dreamland, council members at the same Finance Committee worry about unpaid parking tickets and one full-time position that costs $85,000 annually in salary and benefits. Those items are not even close to being an answer to the $18 million deficit.

But that is elected leadership for you. They think small — and overlook their wrongs.

Dunkirk is late in paying New York state retirement costs. The big question for council — and the mayor — is who is responsible for paying the bills?

This comes back to another elected position of treasurer. If Mark Woods is the person chosen by voters for this position — we note this again — put him on the hot seat. He’s been there at least two decades spanning at least five mayors.

He had more history than anyone else tied to city coffers and he never sounded off or saw this fiscal reckoning coming? Why is he still being paid?