Buffalo council approves 2026-27 budget with 19% property-tax levy increase

Buffalo’s Common Council approved an amended 2026-27 city budget on May 26, locking in a 19% property-tax levy increase and setting the plan to take effect July 1. That is lower than Mayor Sean Ryan’s original 25% proposal, but it still means a larger city tax burden in the new budget year.

The practical effect for residents is not the same for every household. Actual tax bills can vary depending on a property’s assessment and any exemptions that apply, so homeowners should treat the levy figure as a citywide starting point rather than a personalized bill estimate.

Local reporting said the final deal reflected tradeoffs in city spending and delayed or adjusted projects as council members and the mayor’s office worked to close the budget gap. The approved package gives Buffalo a spending plan for the year ahead, but it also shows where city leaders chose to soften the hit and where they did not.

For homeowners and other residents who want a more specific estimate, the city’s budget page includes a property-tax calculator and related budget information. That is the most useful official tool for getting a sense of how the new levy could affect a particular property.

The bottom line: the budget is approved, the levy increase is smaller than the original proposal, and the new city budget year begins July 1.

Sources

• WKBW — Buffalo Common Council approves city budget with 19 percent property tax levy increase
• Buffalo Toronto Public Media — Council approves amended budget with 19% property tax levy jump
• City of Buffalo — Budget and property tax calculator page
• Spectrum News 1 Buffalo — Amended city budget plan approved by Buffalo Common Council