Buffalo City Government, Schools and Hospitals Begin Budgeting Casino Fund

Buffalo City's government, schools and hospitals would be receiving almost half of the $23.9 million local share of the Seneca Nation of Indians' Seneca Niagara Casino slots revenues from 2004 and 2005. Now that political issues have been ironed out, officials have been quick to designate which goes where.

The City Hall will reportedly use its share mainly on many 'quality of life' projects, while the hospitals will make anticipated capital improvements. The school district is still presently debating their options.

But even with the millions that have been granted, city leaders still can't help but be disappointed with the smaller than anticipated share of the funds.

"I don't like it, not one bit, " said Councilman Lewis Rotella. "I don't have a problem with the [other] entities, but I think it should have come to the city. We lost out."

Stated in the contract signed by the state lawmakers last month, the city government was supposed to receive $10.6 million, while the Niagara Falls City School District and the Niagara Falls Memorial Medical Center will each receive up to $1 million to be allocated through the city. The remainder would go to the state's development agency in the city to be used for downtown projects, the countywide marketing agency that will put up an advertising campaign and a planned airport terminal.

Many share the view of Rotella, but residents are focusing more on the officials using what they have been given to make a significant impact in the city.

"When you go on a trip, and a neighborhood looks dirty and disgusting and shabby, you don't say, 'Hey, let's find some place to eat here,'" said vice president of the LaSalle Business and Professional Association Anne Sawicki. "This is only going to help the city."

The city will be getting $3.9 million in unrestricted aid, including direct reimbursement for city safety costs due to the casino and lost property taxes; $3.9 million for the Urban Renewal Agency; and $2.75 million for infrastructure and debt. This is under the casino allocation plan that was negotiated by Assemblywoman Francine Del Monte, D-Lewsiton; State Sen. George D. Maziarz, R-Newfane; and the governor last month.

An estimated $1 million from the latter fund is at present already included in the 2006 operating budget to pay off debt on different capital projects. Mayor Vince Anello wishes to use the rest of the funds to finance more equipment purchases, demolish decrepit houses and pave up to 50 percent more roads than they anticipated this season given that the money comes early.

Mayor Anello also said that the nearly $4 million, which is a big jump of the usual $100, 000 Urban Renewal Agency budget, will help business grow and attract development.

Anello has fought for all the money to come through the city for months. However, the mayor said he would now back the other agencies at the same time vowing to optimize the potential of city government's share.

"We're going to stay true to the original mission, which was meant for infrastructure replacement and upgrading economic development for job creation and stabilizing our tax base, " Anello said. "I'm fully on board with well thought out, long-term projects because that's what we're doing in the city."