Falls budget: no tax hike, no concerts

NIAGARA FALLS, N.Y. (WIVB) - The Niagara Falls City Council adopted the 2013 budget Monday night, but it comes at a price.

There will be no tax hike for homeowners. The mayor's proposed budget had a steep increase of more than 8-percent. But the money has to come from somewhere, so funding cuts will wipe out $3 million for USA Niagara Tourism.

Mayor Paul Dyster said, "I think people are going to be really happy to hear that they don't have a tax increase this year, but as the year goes on I think we're going to start figuring out how we arrived at that and people are going to be concerned about those long-term consequences."

Council Chairman Sam Fruscione countered, "The Mayor called it a disaster, and we fixed the disaster. He should have included us back in July and August. For the past four years we've made him look like a hero cause the decision making process included me and the council members."

The budget also cuts funding for the summer concert series and blues festival.