Apr 2, 2022
Submitted photo Mayor David Smith with his wife, Jill.
GOWANDA — Last week, Gowanda Mayor Dave Smith gave his State of the Village, which included presenting the proposed budget for 2022-23 as well as providing updates for various features and structures throughout the Village.
In the last year, the biggest accomplishment in Gowanda was the completion of the Hollywood Theater. While there is still some work to do on it, there are people in the building all the time, and it’s been booked with events through the summer, including things like silent films.
“Having it complete has been a huge economic driver for the village,” said Smith. “People are coming into town for these things and they’re shopping at our stores and eating at our restaurants. I give special thanks to Mark Burr, Dana Anderson, and the Friends of the Hollywood board.”
To ensure visitors have a safe and easy experience at the Hollywood Theater, the parking lot behind the theater received a huge renovation, as it was fully dug out and redone with better drainage.
One focal point of Smith’s presentation was Gowanda’s fiscal stress score. While he doesn’t know 2021’s fiscal stress score specifically, he knows that, for the fifth straight year, the Village will have no fiscal stress, after having several consecutive years of being fiscally stressed.
“It means we’re managing money well,” said Smith. “That’s a real tribute to our board, our finance committee, department heads, and our treasurer, Traci Hopkins.”
Building on that financial responsibility, Smith said the village has been able to increase their fund balances, contingencies, and reserve accounts, while not just sitting still. They have done that while purchasing a new street sweeper and fire truck, while also having minimal tax payer impact.
As for the tax levy, the Village will see a 1.1% increase when the calendar flips to June, with a total tax dollar influx of around $12,000. There will also be no water or sewer rate increases, in a budget that Smith describes as “pretty lean.”
“There is no fat in these budgets,” said Smith. “They’re chopped down right to the bone and we’ve been able to maximize allowable contingencies. We’re accelerating debt pay off and squirreling away money and are constantly active while doing all this with only a 1.1% increase to the tax levy. We’re really proud of it.”
Smith wanted to give thanks to the residents of Gowanda, who have shown a strong amount of patience, the employees and department heads for their diligence through this process, and a bevy of other people who have done work to make the village of Gowanda great.
Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Health Department reports that wastewater samples collected weekly since March 8 …
ALBANY – With the state experiencing a worsening crisis of untreated, serious mental illness, particularly in its …
The Chautauqua County Chamber of Commerce is constantly seeking new ways to provide benefits for its local member …
In accordance with the latest New York state Department of Health guidance, Brooks-TLC Hospital System has loosened …
Today’s breaking news and more in your inbox
Copyright © Observer Today | https://www.observertoday.com | PO Box 391, Dunkirk, NY 14048 | 716-366-3000 | Ogden Newspapers | The Nutting Company