Local governments feeling the budget hit from Covid-19

First it was New York State warning about deficits, and then school districts.

But cities and towns have huge deficits, too, and without federal assistance, some local officials say, some services may have to be cut in order to balance their budgets.

“This is just going to hurt us and impact us in ways that we are not going to be able to recover from,” Grand Island Supervisor John Whitney said.

But some municipal activities are carrying on. Lancaster is continuing with its reassessment project and Assessor Rebecca Baker said residents have had more avenues to challenge property values.

Gov. Andrew M. Cuomo said Western New York has the highest percentage of coronavirus tests that are positive outside the New York City metropolitan area.

With hospitalization rates continuing to decline statewide, there are some guidelines for reopening regions of the state, including keeping an area’s hospital system at or below 70% capacity, according to the governor.

Some expectant mothers are reluctant to go to the hospital to give birth, because they are worried they or their babies will be exposed to Covid-19, hospital officials said Tuesday.

“We have seen some who waited too long at home, waited until the last minute to get into the hospital, and they have delivered on the way or in our parking lot,” said Dr. Anthony Pivarunas of Catholic Health System.

The economic hit from the pandemic is being felt at WGRZ-TV (Channel 2). Tegna, the station group that owns Channel 2, is requiring all employees across the nation to take a one-week furlough from the week of April 20 through the week of June 26.

There is some good news, for golfers, at least. Erie County is opening Elma Meadows and Grover Cleveland golf courses Friday, weather permitting. There will be some changes, however. Reservations must be made and golfers will not have access to locker rooms, concessions or restrooms, though portable toilets will be available.

Posted by The Buffalo News