Buffalo City Comptroller Challenges Proposed 2026 Capital Budget

Buffalo City Comptroller Barbara Miller-Williams has raised significant objections to the city's proposed 2026 capital budget, citing concerns over fiscal responsibility and procedural delays.

 

In a recent report, Miller-Williams highlighted that the proposed budget surpasses her recommended debt cap by $66 million. She emphasized the necessity of fiscal prudence, stating, "I cannot stress the importance of being fiscally responsible enough."

 

Adding to her concerns, Miller-Williams noted that the budget proposal was submitted on November 7, missing the November 1 deadline. She contends that this tardiness should render the proposal inadmissible.

 

The proposed budget allocates substantial funds across various departments, including over $800,000 for new snowplows, $2.7 million for citywide infrastructure projects, $9.2 million for Buffalo Police and Fire, and $3.7 million for cultural and educational investments.

 

This development unfolds against the backdrop of Buffalo's evolving political landscape. Acting Mayor Christopher Scanlon, who assumed office following Byron Brown's resignation in October 2024, faced a defeat in the Democratic primary earlier this year. State Senator Sean Ryan emerged victorious and is set to take office in January 2026.

 

As Buffalo approaches this transition, the city's financial strategies, including the contentious 2026 capital budget, remain under intense scrutiny.