The current Niagara Falls mayor is Robert Restaino, who is serving his second four-year term after winning re-election in November 2023. Under the Niagara Falls City Charter, the mayor is the city’s chief executive and administrative officer, responsible for directing city departments, preparing the annual budget, negotiating contracts, and signing or vetoing legislation passed by the City Council.
Who Robert Restaino Is
Restaino worked as a public defender in Niagara Falls for about a decade before becoming a Niagara Falls City Court judge in 1996, going full-time on the bench in January 2002.1New York State Commission on Judicial Conduct. Robert Restaino Determination He won his first mayoral election in 2019, took office in January 2020, and secured a second term in 2023, narrowly defeating his closest challenger by just over 200 votes.
His administration has focused on financial stability and downtown redevelopment. During the first term, the priority was repairing the city’s finances after years of budget strain. The second-term agenda centers on larger development projects, including the Niagara Digital Campus, a mixed-use redevelopment the city expects to generate a decade of union construction work and hundreds of permanent jobs.
What the Mayor Does
Niagara Falls operates under a mayor-council form of government, and Article IV of the City Charter sets out the mayor’s duties.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter The role is broad, but a few pieces matter most for understanding how city government actually functions.
Budget and Finances
The mayor prepares and submits the city’s annual budget to the City Council, along with a State of the City message that includes legislative recommendations and a five-year capital improvement program. The mayor is also responsible for revenue collection, auditing expenditures, and keeping the city out of deficit except in unforeseen emergencies.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter
Veto Power
When the City Council passes a local law or ordinance, it goes to the mayor. A signed bill takes effect on its own terms. If the mayor objects, the measure returns to the City Clerk within ten working days with a written explanation, and the council can vote to override at its next meeting. The charter also grants a line-item veto on spending bills: the mayor can sign a law while striking specific appropriations, and each struck item requires its own override vote.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter
Departments and the City Administrator
The mayor does not personally supervise every department. The charter requires the appointment of a City Administrator who handles day-to-day coordination of all departments, offices, and agencies. The Administrator serves at the mayor’s pleasure and can be removed at any time without council approval. A vacancy must be filled within 45 days.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter
Contracts and Emergencies
The mayor negotiates all contracts, franchises, and other agreements on the city’s behalf, subject to council ratification before they take effect.3City of Niagara Falls, New York. Resolution Relative to the Acknowledgment of the Separation of Powers Under the City Charter The mayor may declare a public emergency when life, health, or public safety is at risk, and may attend council meetings and recommend legislation, but holds no vote.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter
How Someone Becomes Mayor
A mayoral candidate must meet both state and local requirements. New York Public Officers Law requires anyone holding civil office to be at least 18, a U.S. citizen, and a resident of the state and local jurisdiction they seek to serve.4New York State Senate. New York Consolidated Laws PBO 3 – Qualifications for Holding Office
The City Charter adds more. A candidate must be a qualified elector of Niagara Falls, meaning a registered voter in the city, for at least one year before both the nomination and the election, and must remain a qualified elector throughout the term. The job is also full-time by rule: the mayor cannot hold another public office or earn compensation from another occupation, employment, or profession while serving.2City of Niagara Falls. Niagara Falls City Charter
New York’s constitution puts city elections in odd-numbered years, so Niagara Falls votes for mayor on the Tuesday after the first Monday in November in years like 2019, 2023, and 2027. The term is four years, and the new mayor takes office on January 1 following the election. The charter sets no term limits.
What Happens If the Office Becomes Vacant
The office of mayor becomes vacant upon the mayor’s death and in the other circumstances listed in the New York Public Officers Law, which include resignation, removal, felony conviction, or prolonged absence. When a vacancy occurs, the City Council chair typically assumes acting authority until a successor is chosen, with the specific process depending on how much of the term is left.
How to Reach the Mayor’s Office
The mayor’s office is inside City Hall at 745 Main Street in Niagara Falls.5City of Niagara Falls, New York. Welcome to Niagara Falls, NY The main City Hall line is (716) 286-4300, and the city website offers a contact portal for formal requests and community concerns. Staff route incoming inquiries to the appropriate department for a response.