Amherst town supervisor proposes $178 million budget for 2026

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) — Amherst Town Supervisor Brian Kulpa broke down a proposed $178 million budget during a meeting Tuesday night.

Kulpa tells WIVB News 4 that this proposed 2026 budget is all about improving services across Amherst while also giving residents a slight tax break.

He also gave an update on some of the town’s most highly anticipated projects.

He said the budget will expand and improve services across the town of Amherst, including senior and youth care, social services, and more.

“This year we’re focusing again on continuing to slightly expand our offerings and our services while maintaining a steady and constant police presence, growing our crime prevention capacities and we’re delivering it at a flat increase,” he said.

Kulpa said the budget will move Amherst forward without putting financial burden on residents.

“It’s .02 percent, 32 cents a household, so it’s really flat,” he said. “We feel that we’re getting the economic development of the town moving in the right direction.”

The budget is now under review by the town board.

“They receive that, they have the ability to look at it along with the public and we’ll schedule public hearings, we have them scheduled for October,” he said.

Aside from the budget, Kulpa gave an update on projects across Amherst, saying the county is ready to start working inside of the new Willowdale Park and that he is happy to see other projects moving forward as well.

“As soon as possible, that’s what I say to everybody, let’s get it going,” he said. “I can’t wait to go to Costco, I can’t wait to go to Station 12 to shop.”

The first public hearing for the proposed budget is Oct. 14.