Tagged: Mark Poloncarz

The privacy of hundreds of Erie County residents has been breached, according to the county's top fiscal watchdog.

In response to a request from Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz for an audit of overtime in the Sheriff's Department, Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw says he's going to audit all of the overtime in county government.

Erie County Executive Poloncarz was upbeat Wednesday, saying in his State of the County message that the area is doing well and he has changed the tone of county government.

A federal audit says Erie County should pay back $48.5 million in disaster relief costs associated with the 2006 'October Surprise' snowstorm. 

Erie County Executive Poloncarz and other county officials are probing the vast details of Governor Cuomo's budget proposal for anything affecting this part of the state.

Erie County's new fiscal watchdog says the county is facing a cash crunch. Comptroller Stefan Mychajliw says he quickly realized there is not enough funding in place to cover a $15 million ECMC payment owed to the state next week.

Over $700 million in funding was awarded to the state's ten Regional Economic Development Councils today.  The Western New York council is receiving $52.8 million for 58 projects.

Ahead of Tuesday's vote on the budget, Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz is calling on the legislature to reject amendments being put forth by the minority caucus.

Again this year, the annual public hearing on the proposed Erie County budget was dominated by cultural agencies and the library system.

The budget proposed by Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz would increase taxes by 3.4 percent, but critics say any tax increase is unacceptable. It's not too late for taxpayers to weigh in.

County Executive Mark Poloncarz has proposed his 2013 budget and now the public will get a turn to weigh in on the subject.

A public hearing on the $1.38 billion budget is scheduled for Monday evening at 5.

The public is invited into the legislative chambers on the 4th floor in Old County Hall.

Developers looking to build a year-round,multi-sport facility and football stadium on Buffalo's waterfront presented their plans to city lawmakers Tuesday afternoon.

Greater Buffalo Sports and Entertainment Complex Vice President George Hasiotis says the $1.4 billion project will integrate the waterfront with downtown Buffalo and increase the value of the Central Business District and other sports venues downtown. 

A member of the Erie County Fiscal Authority is pushing to eliminate a proposed property tax hike in the county budget.

Finance committee chairman Brian Lipke is requesting that County Executive Mark Poloncarz review the budget to identify any discretionary spending that could be reduced. Poloncarz's budget includes a 3.4 percent hike in property taxes.

Lipke asserts that residents are overtaxed already and he is hoping the tax hike can be avoided.

Property owners in Erie County may be paying higher taxes in the coming year. The 2013 budget proposed by County Executive Mark Poloncarz boosts spending by 2.1 percent and increases taxes by 3.4 percent.

Poloncarz told reporters Monday the county is facing a perfect storm of increased costs and declining revenues.

For Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the Democratic National Convention offers more than discussions in party politics.

The convention presents a chance to meet face-to-face with "state officials about what the state can contribute to the reconstruction of Ralph Wilson Stadium," Poloncarz said in a live interview on WBFO and AM970.

It's believed the Buffalo Bills are seeking over $200 million in improvements for their home stadium, a price tag the cash-strapped county is unlikely to afford on its own.

"We're still talking."