BUFFALO, N.Y. — Buffalo Mayor Byron Brown’s 13^th budget proposes a tax hike for the first time during his tenure.

Brown cited a rise in health care and pension costs, contractual raises and an increased demand for city services.

His proposal would raise property taxes 3.4 percent, while the commercial rate would rise 5.5 percent.

Garbage prices would also rise under the plan.

A 35-gallon tote would cost an extra $17 per year, a 65-gallon tote would be an extra $37 and a 95-gallon tote would be an extra $67.

Brown says over the last nine years, the city has transferred $31 million to its solid waste enterprise fund, something he wants to see stop.

"With these modest increases, we will make the fund self-sustaining, and be able to re-direct the revenue, which the city gave to it, to support other city needed services," Brown said.

Brown is also proposing a ticket surcharge at city-owned venues such as KeyBank Center, Coca-Cola Field, Kleinhans and Shea's, which he says would pay for security and facility maintenance.

Brown's plan now goes before the Common Council.

Majority Leader David Rivera says they will look to make some cuts to ease any unnecessary strain on residents.

"We're going to be looking at other savings perhaps, working with the administration, find ways to save money in other areas, and perhaps not have such a drastic increase in terms of user fee,” he said.

Mayor Brown says he hopes to raise $2 million from the ticket surcharge, although a firm plan for how much each ticket is taxed has not yet been determined.

Rivera says that will be finalized before the budget is voted on.

The Common Council will start deliberating on the budget on Thursday.