NT Common Council authorizes 2025 bonding resolution to continue support of crucial projects

Submitted by 3rd Ward Alderman Joseph Marranca III

North Tonawanda Common Council

At Tuesday’s meeting, the North Tonawanda Common Council authorized the 2025 bond anticipation note (BAN) to fund 25 major improvement projects throughout the city. The bonding resolution, proposed by Mayor Austin Tylec and City Accountant Jeffrey Zellner, addresses a variety of initiatives focused on upgrading infrastructure, enhancing public services, and advancing long-term community development.

The projects included in the bond package encompass critical upgrades to the Water Treatment Plant, traffic signal improvements, citywide sidewalk repairs, park and playground enhancements, revisions to the city’s zoning code, and the purchase of new equipment for both the Fire Department and the Department of Public Works, among others. The total bond amount is approximately $11.2 million, adding to the outstanding total bond amount of approximately $22 million. This includes about $17 million of the funding offset by reimbursable grants expected in the future.

The Common Council emphasized the importance of investing in projects that support the city’s continued growth and quality of life improvements, while also acknowledging the need to prioritize prudently and maintain fiscal responsibility.

As discussed during the meeting, Tylec, Zellner, Council President Joe Lavey and Alderman Frank DiBernardo expressed a shared commitment to ensuring that any resulting financial impact remains manageable. While there is an expectation of what the proposed 2026 budget will look like, the Common Council emphasized that maintaining fiscal discipline and protecting taxpayers must remain a top priority when the budget is presented to the body in October.

The Common Council remains focused on identifying cost-saving strategies and exploring new revenue sources to help offset expenses and minimize the financial impact on taxpayers.

It would like to thank the mayor, city accountant, clerk-treasurer, and the city’s department heads for their work on the bonding resolution. The Common Council remains supportive in moving the city forward while strengthening North Tonawanda’s long-term financial outlook.