On January 8, 2025, members from the Buffalo Sewer Authority Board of Directors were provided, and unanimously approved, the annual comprehensive financial report for the fiscal year that ended on June 30, 2024.
The independent audit was performed by Drescher & Malecki LLP a certified public accounting firm. The audit found “no deficiencies or irregularities” of any kind and the accounting and financial work of Buffalo Sewer staff was “clear” and “transparent”.
“We are extremely proud of the strong internal controls and checks and balances that we have instituted in order to be good financial stewards in our enormous responsibility of maintaining public health and safety in our community,” said Charles Riley, Executive Secretary and Chief Financial Officer, Buffalo Sewer Authority. “Our team has been doing a phenomenal job in monitoring and tracking our finances and just as important, planning for our future needs, especially as we embark on the $1 billion Queen City Clean Waters initiative in the coming years.”
Among some of the highlights from the 2023-2024 financial report to the Board and public included:
- An investment of approximately $38 million in Green Infrastructure, Smart Sewers, and Facility enhancements to enhance stormwater infrastructure;
- Complied with Federal requirements governing the use of $850,000 of American Rescue Plan funds received from the City of Buffalo.
- A $575,000 grant from U.S. Department of Labor to support the Authority’s workforce development program that develops the skills of local residents from underserved communities;
- The adoption of a five-year capital plan that will result in approximately $268 million in capital projects during the 2024-2025 fiscal year, including approximately $176 million for the Bird Island Treatment Facility and approximately $92.3 million for the installation of innovative green, smart, and gray sewer system infrastructure as part of the QCCW initiative; and
- For the 37th consecutive year, Buffalo Sewer was awarded a Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting by the Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (“GFOA”) for its financial report in 2023. Buffalo Sewer will once again submit for the award for its 2024 report.
For more information about the audit, please visit: https://buffalosewer.org/about/transparency/financial/.