The city of Dunkirk has $600,000 more in expenses than revenue so far this year, Fiscal Affairs Officer Ellen Luczkowiak told the Common Council’s Finance Committee Tuesday.

There was no further focus on that number as Luczkowiak offered some more positive financial updates. She said the city is up to date on its bank reconciliations for the first time in a long time.

Luczkowiak added that a 2023 audit of city finances is basically complete, but auditors are awaiting a few numbers from the Dunkirk Housing Authority. An audit of 2024 finances is forthcoming, she added.

The fiscal officer wants to ensure that “moving ahead, our audits are annual, like they should be.”

Treasurer Mark Woods later reported that the city recently received a $899,249 sales tax revenue check, which he said is “about on target.”

The city is already applying unpaid water bills to the next property tax bills, he said. “Probably within the next two weeks we should be sending out tax bills,” Woods added.

That kind of acted as a warning, with Dunkirk residents facing an 84% property tax increase this year.