BUFFALO, N.Y. (WKBW) — There's more than $46 million remaining in surplus from Erie County's 2018 budget, where a portion of that money goes was voted on Thursday. $32 million of that sum has already been budgeted for a payment due to ECMC leaving around $14 million remaining.
Back to back contentious legislative meetings ended with a vote allocating $5 million to the Albright Knox Art Gallery for upgrades and expansion. That $5 million, matching a previous $50 million from a private investor.
“Having cultural experiments and resources to be able to get outside of your neighborhood and participate in great experiences is super important," says Democratic Legislator, April Baskin.
Voting against the $5 million going towards the art gallery was the Republican minority including Legislator Joseph Lorigo.
“We have legislators that believed the money was better spent at the Albright Knox which surprised me," Lorigo said. “We had an opportunity to put money towards poverty initiatives, public safety, or give money back to tax payers in the form of a tax break next year.”
The $10 million remaining is expected get the Erie County Sheriff's body camera program up and running and will also go towards various Erie County projects like infrastructure.
