Local authorities have recently proposed the casino revenue to be used for covering various expenses such as the overtime of the policemen and fire fighters. In order to compensate them for the excessive hours they work, authorities need to set aside a sum, equal to more than $1 million.
The members of the City Council have already taken actions and decided that the budget, established by Mayor Paul A. Dyster, needs to undergo some changes.
They suggested the revenue generated from gambling activities in the Seneca Niagara Casino to cover a few other more or less significant expenses such as the overtime of workers, in charge of providing snow removal, forestry and code enforcement services.
The funds will also be used for security and maintenance of the place, formerly known as the Rainbow Centre. In addition, City councils suggested a part of the funds to cover the security of the Department of Public Works as well.
The amendments were proposed a few days ago and apart from them, authorities decided to make some further changes and restore several positions that were unlikely to be included in the budget plan established by Dyster. Furthermore, they decided to save up from paying three salaries, eliminate stipends for other three posts and terminate four other job positions as well.
The other changes, concerning the way the casino revenue will be spent, included suggestions such as covering travel expenses, investigations, office supplies in a number of departments, etc.
Another decision made by the City councils was the restoration of funds, trimmed from the Niagara Falls Public Library‘s budget. Now, the library will get its $75,000 back.
The amendments were announced by the Councilman Glenn A. Choolokian. He said that he would do his best to prevent further increase in the percentage of unemployed people in the region. He also added that the tax increase for commercial and residential properties that was suggested by Dyster is likely to be cancelled too.
The number of budget amendments suggested by Choolokian was 89 but only one of the lawmakers supported all of them while the others were reluctant to do that.
However, there was another side of the coin. Some of the local authorities raised the question about the uncertainty, concerning the revenue generated from the casino. To a certain extent, they were right, as nobody can predict if the revenue would be enough for covering all expenses included in the budget plan.
Last week, lawmakers put forward another suggestion. They wanted the casino revenue to be used for paying incentives, sick days, and personal time to city employees. Plus, they voted all benefits and salaries of the staff in the Planning and Economic Development Department to be paid with funds raised from gambling activities. They determined the sum of $191,000 to be set aside for that purpose.
However, all amendments need to be approved by the Mayor who has some concerns about the efficiency of the changes proposed. According to the latest information, he is planning to use his right to put a veto on some of the changes suggested.
