Big-ticket items continue to be ignored when it comes to Dunkirk’s fiscal problems. Earlier this month, a proposal was floated to bring back parking meters to help with city revenues.

Let’s try to get this straight. A city facing an $18 million budget crunch is aiming to raise between $5,000 to $10,000 in additional added revenue.

Noting a need “to generate something” will not even come close to fixing what ails city coffers. “It’s just so we’re trying every which way we can to help ourselves,” said councilwoman Nancy Nichols.

That statement is nowhere near being accurate.

What the city of Dunkirk leaders truly need to do is to take a hard look at expenses. In a more than $28 million spending plan, where can cuts be made?

Throughout this process, started in September by Mayor Kate Wdowiasz, increasing costs have not been discussed. Instead, the focus remains on hitting taxpayers with the 108% whammy.

That’s a painful start for constituents, but planning for 2026 will bring additional challenges since the expense line keeps being ignored. Yes, the looming tax hike will help begin to bridge the major city gap, but the parking meters will do nothing but add more angst … as well as nickels and dimes.