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Mark C. Poloncarz, Comptroller
08/27/09
POLONCARZ RECOVERS LATE PAYMENTS OWED TO COUNTY

Comptroller's Efforts Result in Delinquent City of Buffalo Parks and Cellblock Payments and Hotel Tax Payments Being Made

Erie County Comptroller Mark C. Poloncarz today announced that his office has recovered delinquent revenue due and owing to the County totaling just under $1.5 million.

The monies collected are from the City of Buffalo for the County's operation of the Buffalo City Parks and the City's police cellblock, and from the owners/operators of four (4) hotels who owed the County collected but unremitted hotel occupancy taxes.

The City of Buffalo owed the County $1,180,894 for the County's operation of City parks. Under an agreement signed by the City in April 2009, the payment was due July 15, 2009 but the City failed to pay and other County officials did not take action to secure the payment. Only after Poloncarz's office became involved and notified the City Comptroller was a payment made on August 26, 2009.

The City of Buffalo owed the County $251,763 for the County's operation of the City's police cellblock which is part of the Sheriff's Holding Center pursuant to a 2004 agreement. Under the agreement, the City was required to pay the County by July 1, 2009 but failed to do so. Despite repeated assurances from other County officials that the City would make the payment, they did not do so. Again, only after Poloncarz's office became involved and notified the City Comptroller was a payment made on August 25, 2009 – nearly two months late.

Poloncarz, the County's chief fiscal officer said, "I would like to thank City Comptroller Andy SanFilippo and his staff for collaboratively working with my office and securing these payments."

In addition, Poloncarz noted that the owners/operators of entities operating under the names Bhavani Hotels, Inc. and Mataji's Hotels, Inc. paid to the County $63,179 on August 17, 2009 for previously collected but delinquently paid hotel occupancy taxes at four (4) hotels: the Holiday Inn Express on Dingens Street, the Best Western-Buffalo Airport, and the Econo Lodge and La Quinta Inn in Williamsville.

The hotel establishments failed to file their second quarter 2009 tax returns and tax payments due June 1, 2009. Despite repeated warnings from the Comptroller's Office demanding payment, the establishments only paid after the Comptroller exercised his powers under Erie County law and publicly identified the entities as being delinquent.

Poloncarz concluded "As the County's independent taxpayer watchdog, I will continue to pursue those entities and individuals who owe the County money for services or collected taxes. The taxpayers demand no less."