Can’t They Get the Numbers Right?
Now $9 Million, Now $5 Million, Niagara Falls Budget Deficit A Moving Object?

Paul Dyster (left) and Barack Obama (right). Neither of these two fine gents seem to be able to balance a budget, or, for that matter, have the set principle clearly established in their heads that you simply can’t spend more than you take in.

The Dyster administration deficit is a bit confounding.

While the deficit was reported in the press over the past two weeks as being as large as $9 million,  and while Mayor Paul Dyster told listeners of the Tom Darro show on Tuesday, Oct. 14 that the deficit was quite large and quite unexpected (he never gave an exact figure) that $9 million deficit took a sharp drop on the evening of Oct. 14.

In an Oct. 14 online Niagara Gazette story, “Falls looking at $5 million revenue gap in 2015 budget,” the Gazette wrote, “City Controller Maria Brown confirmed Tuesday evening that the shortfall was around $9 million at one point and has since been whittled down to $5 million, largely through adjustments made on the revenue side.”

A $4 million sudden drop?  Didn’t Mayor Dyster get the memo?

Adjustments on the revenue side?

Does that mean making the deficit smaller by overstating revenue?

 I mean how does one make a $4 million upward adjustment in revenue?

Revenue is taxes.

Of course, one has to believe the city controller has the most reliable and accurate figures in city hall. Assuming this to be true why is Dyster singing from a different hymnal when it comes to confirming the exact number and nature of the city deficit?

The article reads, “Dyster did not mention specific numbers when asked by city lawmakers to discuss the now-late budget proposal.”

So, the deficit was $9 million but then became $5 million as Dyster declines to name an exact deficit figure.

Per the Gazette story: ‘I think it’s very obviously the case that we face major challenges,’” Dyster said.”

Council Chairman Charles Walker told the Gazette that, “I think it’s important we look at this budget, make a decision and pass it on to the council. I mean if it’s that bad, it’s not going to go away over night.”

Huh?

You are “the council,” Mr. Walker.

And, what could possibly “go away over night”…the $9 million deficit or the $5 million deficit?

How will it go away?

Who will make it go away?  And when?

Does anyone at city hall have the faintest idea as to what is going on with the budget and the budget deficit?