Following a scathing report last month by the Comptroller’s Office on the 2026 Dunkirk budget proposal for 2026, state Sen. George Borrello reiterated a call — once again — for a control board.

“This report makes one thing unmistakably clear: my call for a financial control board was not only warranted, it was necessary,” said Borrello, R-Sunset Bay. “In light of these findings, I will be renewing my push for a control board in the 2026 legislative session to ensure the responsible oversight and fiscal discipline that Dunkirk taxpayers deserve.”

At the moment, city leaders have given their blessing on the current plan — and have until Monday, Dec. 15, to finalize it. Dunkirk, a city of 12,400 residents, has a spending plan of nearly $30 million.

Its 2024 crisis that led to a deficit of $16 million proves the unsustainability of the municipality. Anyone who is not close to the situation can see it.

Over the summer, the city received a $13.7 million loan to pay off a previous advance on funds to the state. If budgeting was not a problem, then that bail out by Gov. Kathy Hochul would have never had to happen.

City officials worry about the expense of a Control Board. It has been estimated that the cost could be $1 million.

Trust us, that is very doable. If the city can justify spending $29.5 million next year — and that figure will not go down in the future unless new oversight occurs — then it can justify that $1 million price tag to rightsize operations.

Tough decisions will never be made in City Hall — no matter who is elected to office. It is obvious those actions will have to come from someone on the outside.