Buffalo amended budget brings a 19% levy hike, with June 17 review next
Buffalo’s council approved an amended 2026-27 budget with a 19% property-tax levy hike, down from the mayor’s original 25.8% plan for the city.
Buffalo’s budget now moves to the oversight stage
Buffalo’s Common Council approved an amended 2026-27 city budget on May 26 that raises the property-tax levy 19%, down from the mayor’s original proposal of about 25.8%. The vote changed the size of the tax increase, but it did not end the budget fight. The Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority is scheduled to review the plan at its June 17 meeting.
For homeowners and property owners, the message is simple: the city still plans a bigger tax burden, just not as large as first proposed. For renters, small businesses, and city workers, the budget matters because it shapes how Buffalo balances service funding, staffing, and the effort to close its fiscal gap.
The council and the administration both framed the budget as a way to keep core services moving, but they disagreed on how deep the cuts should be and how much the city should rely on higher revenue. The amended plan reduced the levy increase while keeping the city focused on basic operations and longer-term financial stability.
That makes June 17 the next date to watch. The BFSA review could add scrutiny, questions, or pressure even after the council vote. For now, Buffalo residents should treat the May 26 action as an important step, not the final word.
