What happened earlier this month at a Dunkirk Finance Committee gathering is one more example of why a Control Board is desperately needed to rein in what’s wrong in the fiscally strapped municipality.

During the meeting, Assessor Erica Munson criticized city officials for creating a toxic, politicized atmosphere amid the financial troubles. Munson brought up the insurance issue, stating that it is part of the duty of city officials, in taking care of all residents, to care for their employees.

On Tuesday, there will be a public hearing regarding a local law that would stop benefits from rolling over from one year to the next, and place a ban cashing out upon retirement or resignation.

Based on this meeting alone, it is not going over well with the city staff.

Wdowiasz said she is seeking a single buyout on the city’s insurance contract. “It’s not feasible to have everybody expecting that contracts that were made a long time ago are able to be upheld,” she said.

Key word in that sentence is “contract.” What’s in place is not negotiable until the expiration date.

This is exactly what the control board can change immediately. Elected officials, past and present, do not have the will to tighten the belt and cut expenses.

That is not only in Dunkirk — it is across the county in all municipalities and school districts.