Development News for Lackawanna, New York

Lackawanna City Council Approves 2026-2027 Budget with 4.88% Property Tax Adjustment

The City Council of Lackawanna held a public hearing to discuss the 2026-2027 revised proposed budget. The Comptroller presented the budget, highlighting a $3.2 million draw from the unassigned fund balance to manage a 4.88% property tax adjustment, preventing a larger increase and a fiscal crisis akin to Buffalo's. Key expenses contributing to the budget include emergency services, personnel costs, state mandates, pensions, benefits, insurance premiums, operational costs, and infrastructure upkeep. The total budget is $38,225,450, with a unified tax rate of $18.98. Council members expressed concerns regarding healthcare cost increases, state aid fluctuations, the decrease in the city's total taxable value by $15.9 million due to commercial property challenges and court-ordered changes, and the impact of new state retirement tiers. The council ultimately voted to adopt the revised budget with a 3-2 vote.