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Home > Leadership > Mayor > Archive Press Releases > 2007 Archives > May 2007 > MAYOR BROWN CALLS FOR LIFTING CITY EMPLOYEES’ WAGE FREEZE

MAYOR BROWN CALLS FOR LIFTING CITY EMPLOYEES’ WAGE FREEZE

Source/Contact
Office of the Mayor
Peter K. Cutler
Director of Communications
716-851-4841

Mayor Byron W. Brown, citing his long-term vision and initiatives for the City of Buffalo’s fiscal health, today announced that he will introduce a resolution calling for the lifting of the wage freeze on all City of Buffalo employees at tomorrow’s regularly scheduled meeting of the Buffalo Fiscal Stability Authority (BFSA).

“In my recommended 2007-08 City Budget, I set aside $8.8 million dollars for negotiating labor contracts and I am confident that this fund, combined with the City’s overall fiscal condition, enables us to lift the wage freeze on all city employees,” said Mayor Brown. “As I stated when I delivered the City Budget last week, I have presented a fiscally conservative budget that includes several long-term fiscal reforms, including my commitment to long-term budget planning by annually issuing a balanced four-year financial plan and the creation of a fund balance policy to ensure the City of Buffalo has sufficient financial reserves.  Now that my Administration has achieved fiscal stability for the City, I am confident that it is time for lifting the wage freeze.”

Further, Mayor Brown, by declaring the time for lifting the wage freeze, will also call on Governor Eliot Spitzer to put the BFSA in a dormant state, which will save the City substantial annual BFSA operational costs and legal fees. 

“The City of Buffalo has turned the corner toward financial stability and future growth,” said Mayor Brown. “The City has now put in place three consecutive balanced budgets, we are in the right position to lift the wage freeze, so it is time for the Governor to place the BFSA in an advisory or dormant state by July 1, 2007.  Ending the control period is one of the most positive messages we could send to individuals and businesses considering Buffalo as a place to live, work, and invest.”

Recently, the City’s General Obligation credit rating was increased by both Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s, indicating substantial improvements in the City’s financial health and management practices.  In addition, the credit upgrades allows the City to borrow at rates competitive with the BFSA.

“When I ran for Mayor and when I took the Oath of Office, I stated clearly that my top priority was restoring the City’s economic strength and that by doing that we would be able to lift the wage freeze and put the BFSA into a dormant state – that day has arrived,” stated Mayor Brown.