Those counting on Buffalo's new single-rate living wage of at least $15 will have to wait a year longer than first expected.

The Common Council this week changed the effective date from July 1, 2020, to July 1, 2021. The amended date still aligns with Mayor Byron W. Brown's 2015 commitment to increase the city's minimum wage to $15 by 2021, but it gives the administration time to find the money, city officials said.

"They felt moving (the date) out further would better help the city in terms of its projections. The city obviously has to prioritize, find the money and put it in the budget, and we want to be able to make sure that we have the financial stability to do it," said Niagara Council Member David A. Rivera after the Council approved the amendment Tuesday.

The administration feels "pretty confident" that city should be able to do it for the 2021-22 budget, he added.

Buffalo's living wage law applies to employees of the city and of private companies with at least 10 employees that contract with the city for at least $50,000 worth of business.