OBSERVER file photo Mark Woods, pictured above, has been city treasurer for more than two decades.

Dunkirk’s continuing fiscal crisis has taken another drastic turn.

A notice on the city of Dunkirk website reported an abrupt closure of the Treasurer’s Office as of Tuesday afternoon around 2. “IMPORTANT NOTICE: City Treasurer Office Closed until further notice,” the notice reads.

About an hour later, Dunkirk Police reported on its Facebook page that upon “the direction of the State Comptroller’s Office, the Dunkirk Police Department and the Mayor’s Office assisted the District Attorney’s Office in the execution of a Grand Jury subpoena directing the City of Dunkirk Treasurer’s Office be secured. All further inquiries will be directed to the State Comptroller’s Office.”

Caution tape and a closed sign was placed on the door to the office.

Dunkirk’s crisis, which came to light nearly one year ago, continues to create havoc inside the walls of City Hall. Officials say morale is at an all-time low and grievances are being filed over job losses and other issues related to employment.

Mark Woods, city treasurer, has been elected to the position for more than two decades. He’s been on the hot seat as well with the state comptroller’s office and the Mayor Kate Wdowiasz since the financial troubles came to light.

Last year, the city borrowed $16 million from New York state to pay its expenses.

In the coming weeks, city property owners will be on the hook for the mess. An 84% property tax hike that was approved in December will hit mailboxes later in the spring.

Dunkirk’s current budget is more than $28 million. Since 2016, it lost more than $4 million in revenue when the NRG Energy plant on the waterfront closed. That revenue was never replaced once state aid ran out in 2023.

According to the city web site, “the Treasurer’s Office is responsible for activities related to accounts receivable and cash management. Duties include collecting property tax payments, water payments, and funds transferred within the City’s portfolio.”

The office’s regular hours are from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. weekdays when City Hall is open to the public.