Common Council using state surplus on community groups, lowering tax levy

The Common Council has approved giving a portion of $307,000 in state surplus funds to three local organizations.

The Dale Association received $25,000, the Lockport Locks Heritage District Corp. will get $10,000 and the Erie Canal Bicentennial Committee received $5,000.

The council had previously determined to use $165,000 of that surplus to purchase a new ambulance for the Lockport Fire Department.

Sue Mawhiney, city treasurer, asked the Common Council to consider the use of the surplus during a finance meeting on Wednesday, noting that the funds were "unrestricted" and could be used for any project in the city, including water and sewer lines.

"You have to think that we don't usually get money that we can consider unrestricted. It usually has so many restrictions," she said, adding that the water and sewer departments do not have large contingencies if something unexpected happens.

Anita Mullane, Second Ward alderman, suggested that $25,000 be given to the Dale Association, $10,000 given to the heritage district to fund a documentary and $5,000 go toward the committee. She then noted that would leave $100,000 which could be used to lower the tax levy for the city.

"We had talked about $25,000," she said. "They're asking for $75,000 but we figured out we could do $25,000 with that money from the state and buy the ambulance and we'll still have over $100,000 to bring down the tax rate."

The three entities had presented to the common council on Oct. 23.

Currently, the Dale Association reported that its 2024 operating costs and revenue consist of a $62,000 gap. The next day, Maureen Wendt, executive director, said the group would be fundraising for the rest of the year and hoped to get an additional $7,500 from the Niagara County Legislature through a bill sponsored by Legislator Carla Speranza to cover costs this year.

Wendt also noted that the United Way of Niagara had redirected its funding from the senior center, but that was a "catalyst."

In her presentation, she noted that 1,000 residents of the Town of Lockport utilize the senior center and the town supports those residents at $50-per-head through a yearly $50,000 donation. The Town of Cambria also contributes. More than 1,500 City of Lockport residents also use the center and through its programs are able to live independently and pay their taxes, said Wendt.

"It's money well spent," said Dale board member Pat McGrath.

Mayor John Lombardi III weighed in on the discussion at the finance meeting, noting that the association would expect an annual donation from the city, but council members seemed willing to make that decision in the following years.

The documentary and bicentennial committee were also considered by officials, eventually determining that a one-time donation to both agencies was acceptable. The council officially voted in favor of the allocations during Wednesday's finance meeting.

The council will also meet at 4:30 p.m. this Wednesday at city hall for an in-depth, line-by-line look at the entire budget.