George Borrello (left) and Michael Ferguson, the 2017 Candidates for Chautauqua County Executive

MAYVILLE – Election Day 2017 has arrived and by tonight most if not all the candidates around Chautauqua County will find out if they have been elected to public office.

BORRELLO VS. FERGUSON FOR COUNTY EXEC

The highlight of this local election year is the race for Chautauqua County Executive, which features George Borrello (R-Irving) and Mike Ferguson (D-Fredonia).

Borrello has touted his work as a private businessman and elected official on the Chautauqua County Legislature as reasons why residents should select him. Meanwhile, Ferguson has prided himself on being able to serve as a top administrator at a number of private and nonprofit operations, including a past GM of the Jamestown Jammers professional baseball team, the former GM of the Northwest Arena, a member of the county’s tourism board, and as current executive of the Fredonia Place skilled nursing facility.

• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Interview with Ferguson (Oct. 12)
• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Interview with Borrello (Sept. 28)

Larry Barmore (left) and LeeAnn Lazarony

BARMORE VS LAZARONY FOR COUNTY CLERK

Another county-wide election will feature the race for Chautauqua County Clerk, where incumbent Larry Barmore (R-Gerry) will square off against former Cassadaga Mayor LeeAnn Lazarony (D-Cassadaga).

• Listen to WRFA’s Community Matters’ Q&A with both Larry Barmore and LeeAnn Lazarony

COUNTY LEGISLATURE HAS NINE CONTESTED RACES

All 19 seats of the Chautauqua County Legislature are also up for a vote, but only nine of them feature contested races. The main focus will be to see if Democrats are able to cut into the Republicans Stronghold over the legislature, where currently the GOP outnumbers its counterparts 15 to 4.

In Jamestown there are two contested races for the Legislature.

In District 11, which is the northwest portion of the city, incumbent David Wilfong (R) who’s also the county GOP committee chair, is being challenged by local businessman Frank Besse (D).

In District 12, which covers the northeast portion of the city, incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R) will face challenger Dave Reinhardt (D).

Another local race of interest features the open seat in District 16, which is currently held by Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg). Lemon has opted not to run for reelection and as a result, that race will feature John Davis (R-Frewsburg) squaring off against Terry Walker of (D-Kennedy). District 16 covers the towns of Kiantone, Carroll, and Poland.

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

Other contested races include:

District 8 – Towns of Ellery and North Harmony

• Pierre Chagnon* (R, Con, Ind – Bemus Point)
• Jeri Ann Simora (D, WF – Stow)

District 18 – Towns of Chautauqua, Mina and Sherman

• Ella Ames (D, Ind, WF, WEP – Mayville)
• David Himelein* (R, Con – Findley Lake)

District 19 – Towns of Ripley and Westfield

• Laurel Adams (D, WEP – Ripley)
• John Hemmer* (R, Con, Ind – Westfield)

District 1 – Dunkirk

• Kevin Muldowney* (R, Con, Ind – Dunkirk)
• James Palmatier (D-Dunkirk)

District 3 – Fredonia

• Robert Dando (D, WF, WEP – Fredonia)
• Robert Scudder* (R, Con, Ind – Fredonia)

District 6 – Hanover (Borrello’s current seat)

• Gary Cerne (R, Con, Ind – Irving)
• Kevin O’Connell (D, WF – Silver Creek)

Local legislators Paul Whitford (D), Chuck Nazarro (D), and Lisa Vanstrom (R) – all  of Jamestown – along with PJ Wendel (R) of Lakewood, are all running unopposed.

For more information on Election Day 2017, visit www.VoteChautauqua.com.

Polls opened at 6 a.m. and will remain open until 9 p.m.

This year’s election features races for several local offices, including County Executive, County Clerk, and all 19 seats in the Chautauqua County Legislature.

Already announced candidates include Republican George Borrello (Irving) and Democrat Mike Ferguson (Fredonia) running for the open seat of County Executive after Vince Horrigan announce at the start of this year he would not seek another term in office. Running for county clerk will be Republican incumbent Larry Barmore of Gerry, being challenged by Democrat LeeAnn Lazarony of Cassadaga.

10 out of 19 Legislature Seats Uncontested

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

In addition to the two county-wide races, there will be nine contested races for in the 19-seat Chautauqua County Legislature, including two open seat races.

Contested races include:

• District 1 (Dunkirk) – Democrat Tommy Roque is facing Republican incumbent Kevin Muldowney;
• District 3 (Fredonia) – Democrat Robert Dando is facing Republican incumbent Bob Scudder;
• District 6 (Hanover) – Democrat Kevin O’Connell of Silver Creek is facing Republican Gary Cerne of Irving. The two are vying for the seat currently held by Borrello, who is running for County Executive;
• District 8 (Ellery and North Harmony) – Democrat Jeri Ann Simora of Stow is challenging Republican incumbent Pierre Chagnon of Bemus Point;
• District 11 (Jamestown) – Democrat Frank Besse is challenging Republican incumbent and County Republican Party Chair Dave Wilfong;
• District 12 (Jamestown) – Democrat Dave Reinhardt is challenging Republican incumbent Elisabeth Rankin;
• District 16 (Kiantone, Carrol, Poland) – Democrat and Poland Town Councilman Terry Walker of Kennedy is facing Republican John Davis of Frewsburg. The two are vying for the seat currently held by Republican Ron Lemon (Frewsburg) who has announced he will not seek reelection;
• District 18 (Chautauqua, Sherman, and Mina) – Independence Party member Ella Ames of Mayville is running on the Democratic ticket and is challenging Republican incumbent and Legislature Chairman David Himelein of Findley Lake;
• District 19 (Westfield and Ripley) – Democrat Laurel Adams of Ripley is challenging Republican incumbent John Hemmer of Westfield.

It appears 10 races will be uncontested this year.

The four incumbent Democratic legislators are all seeking re-election and are apparently not being opposed by Republicans. They include Minority Leader Chuck Nazzaro (District 9 – Jamestown) Assistant Minority Leader Bob Bankoski (District 2 – Dunkirk); Christine Starks (District 4 – Fredonia) and Paul Whitford (District 13 – Jamestown).

Six Republicans, including five incumbents, are also running unopposed. They are Terry Niebel (District 5 – Dunkirk), Mark O’Dell (District 7 – Brocton), Paul “PJ” Wendel (District 10- Lakewood), Lisa Vanstrom (District 15 – West Ellicott), and Frank “Jay” Gould (District 17 – Ashville).

Republican Dan Pavlock of Charlotte will be running unopposed in the open District 14 seat, which is being vacated by Republican Mark Tarbrake (Jamestown), who is vacating the seat due to moving out of the district. District 14 covers the Town of Ellicott north of I-86, along with the towns of Gerry, Ellington, and Charlotte.

Republicans currently hold at 15 to 4 majority in the legislature.

The Jamestown Post-Journal reports the resolution involving a lease with BNSF Logistics for vacant county space on South Roberts Road in Dunkirk was approved 15-4 during Wednesday’s County Legislature meeting.  The lease would cover a four-month period and would result in the county receiving a total of $60,000, and would only go into effect if BNSF Logistics is granted a contract award for the Arkwright Summit Wind Farm project.

Legislators voting against the resolution were George Borrello, Ron Lemon, Charles Nazzaro, and Bob Scudder.

The $156 million wind farm project will involve 36 wind turbines being built with a maximum generating capacity of 78.4 megawatts- which is enough electricity to power approximately 31,500 households. The wind farm will span approximately 6500 acres of leased private land in the Towns of Arkwright and Pomfret.

Also Wednesday night, the legislature approved a local law to authorize an assistance program for municipalities that successfully dissolve or merge.

Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Deputies Association president Tina Holtz listens in the foreground as Sheriff Joe Gerace voiced his support for a new contract between the county and the union, prior to a vote during the Dec. 21 meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature.

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature voted 12 to 7 Wednesday night in favor of a new 5-year collective bargaining agreement for both the Sheriff’s Deputies and the Sheriff’s Lieutenants. The new contract includes no wage increase in 2017; a 1.5 percent increase in 2018 and 2019; and a 2 percent increase in 2020 and 2021. It also places all active members into a high-deductible health plan while the county would provide a 20-year retirement plan.

Legislators who voted in favor of the new contract felt that it was a fair deal for both the county and the unions. Among those who supported it was Paul whitford (D-Jamestown).

“In this contract the retirement was imperative for the officers. They’re in harm’s way. When you have an earlier turnover, it creates openings for a younger group coming in,” Whitford said. “The county’s focus, since I’ve been in the legislature, is to maintain control of a structural deficit and I think this contract goes a long way in doing that.”

Another supporter of the contract was Ron Lemon (R-Frewburg), who said he was opposed to changing the retirement option from 25 to 20 years, but said it wasn’t enough for him to vote against it.

“There are some pros. One is the savings from the health insurance part of the package and the other would be the rate of salary increase,” Lemon said. “But I also want to commend the [unions] for negotiating in goo faith, coming in. I understand there were about 36 things that were brought to the table, but they were pretty lenient with them, which was good to hear.”

Those who voted against the contract were Terry Niebel (R-Sheridan), Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia), Lisa Vanstrom (R-Ellicott), PJ Wendel (R-Lakewood), and David Wilfong (R-Jamestown). In addition, both Pierre Chagnon (R-Bemus Point and Chuck Nazzaro (D-Jamestown) – who serve as the chair and vice-chair of the county’s audit and control committee  – voted against it.  Following the meeting, Nazzaro said he voted no because there was still too many questions left on the table.

Chautauqua County Legislator Charles Nazzaro (D – Jamestown, District 9).

“I guess what it comes down to is a discomfort level with the long-term effect of this contract and also the long term assumptions in there. For example, they’re assuming people are going to retire at 20 years, and that’s not a given. Also, they are going to be in a high deductible plan [for health insurance]. High deductible plans still go up in cost and the county funds 100 percent of the premium for the plan, granted, the member pays for the deductible,” Nazzaro explained.

Nazarro also said there was an upfront cost with the deal that he has concerns with.

“We have to put upfront costs to buy into the new pension,” Nazzaro said. “That cost for the deputies and the lieutenants is $2.6 million. Not one person on this floor tonight asked, ‘where are we going to get that $2.6 million?’ We did ask that in our discussion [in audit and control] and it’s going to have to come out of fund balance, and I have in issue of taking that money out of fund balance. You’ve heard the county executive say we need to build our fund balance and stick with our deficit reduction committee plan, so I had a big issue with taking that money out of fund balance.”

Despite concerns from several legislators, County Executive Vince Horrigan, who helped to negotiate the final contract, said he felt it was the best compromise possible, including moving retirement from 25 to 20 years.

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan

“At the end of they day, it’s a win for the tax payers. It’s a win for the sheriff’s department. And it’s a new approach and I’m very excited to see that come into fruition,” Horrigan explained. “At the same time, I understand moving from 25 years to 20 years is hard for some people, and I understand that, so our negotiating team of budget director Kitty Crow and HR director Joe Porpiglia did a lot of work and I credit them for this.”

Following the vote, president of the Deputy Sheriff’s Association Tina Holtz said she and the union members were very pleased the contract was approved, and also explained why moving the retirement option from 25 to 20 years was so important.

“I think there’s several reasons,” Holtz said. “One, it brings us into line with other agencies in this county and the surrounding counties. It’s also, if you pay attention to the news, a different world out there and we’re ready to go at 20 years. We really need to be moving through and onto another career.”

Both unions have already ratified the tentative contract. Chautauqua County Sheriff Joe Gerace along with two deputies also spoke before the vote in support of the contract.

NEW CONTRACT SHOULD HAVE A MINIMAL IMPACT ON CONSOLIDATION STUDY

The terms of the new contracts shouldn’t have an impact on a possible consolidation of public safety services between the county and city of Jamestown. That’s according to Horrigan, who addressed the issue following Wednesday night’s vote.

“We’ve been working with [Mayor Sam Teresi] and the unions have been working together to give us their concerns, and we think we have a good law enforcement team. If [the city] wants us to contract with them, as we do in other places, we’re happy to do that,” Horrigan said. “There’s some unique things about chain of command in the city and some unique issues that they have, but we don’t think this will have a real bearing on that, directly.”

That police consolidation study is still being finalized and there’s no guarantee it would be accepted by the city council or the county legislature. The basic premise of the proposed consolidation is to have the Sheriff’s office provide deputies to work in Jamestown, replacing Jamestown Police officers as they retire or leave the force. The transition would result in a savings for the city at no additional cost to the county.

Consultants with the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) consulting firm out of Rochester have been hired to look into the feasibility of such a plan, with funding provided by the state.

County Legislator Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) was one of several lawmakers who offered comments during the 2017 budget discussion that took place at the legislature’s October 26 voting session in Mayville.

MAYVILLE – The Chautauqua County Legislature has approved a $229 million spending plan for next year.

On Wednesday night lawmakers met to review proposed amendments for the budget and give it a final vote.  In the end, the legislature voted 18 to 0 on the spending plan that includes a property tax cut of just over half-a-percent, which equals a reduction in the tax rate of 7 cents per thousand assessed value.

The current property tax rate is $8.55 per $1000. Under the finalized spending plan, it will drop to $8.48 per $1000. Even with the drop in the tax rate, the tax levy is actually going up to $60.8 million – a $1 million increase over the current year’s tax levy.

The legislature approved a few minor adjustments to the spending plan that was put forward by county executive Vince Horrigan in September. Those amendments were finalized last week in the audit and control committee. They included an increase in funding for the local 4-H program from $25,000 to $50,000. In addition the legislature cut funding for the Sheriff’s office by $50,000 – which was money that was intended to be used to purchase in-car cameras for all patrol vehicles. However, the in-car camera fund will still receive $100,000.

11th HOUR AMENDMENT FAILS TO RECEIVE SUPPORT

Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan speaking during the Oct. 26 county legislature meeting in Mayville.

One final amendment was put forward during Wednesday Night’s voting session. Legislator Terry Niebel (R-Sheridan) proposed using an additional $300,000 from an Intergovernmental Transfer payment to be used to further reduce property taxes.

Niebel’s reasoning was that the IGT payment came in $2.3 million higher than what was anticipated and as a result, some of that windfall should be used to further reduce the tax rate.

However, that proposal was defeated 16 to 2 – with the majority of lawmakers agreeing that the money should instead be used to build the county’s fund balance, so it can be used to help manage budgets in future years.

Following the vote, Horrigan said he was pleased with the final version of the spending plan and intends to sign off on it on Thursday.

The Chautauqua County Airport, just north of Jamestown. (Image via Google)

MAYVILLE – The Greater Chautauqua-Jamestown Airport at Robert H. Jackson Field will get a new parking lot thanks to federal, state and local funding.

On Wednesday night the Chautauqua County Legislature approved federal and state funds for an airport parking lot rehab project.

According to the Jamestown Post-Journal, the vote was 13 to 4, with legislators John Hemmer (R-Westfield), Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg), Charles Nazzaro (D-Jamestown), and Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia) each voting against the measure.

The total cost of the project is just over $850,000 and the county’s share of the project totals just over $21,000.

The lawmakers who voted against the measure voiced concern about using local funding to pay for a project at the airport that has been under-utilized, with minimal usage by area residents and businesses. They also explained that by moving forward with the project, the county will be committed to keeping the airport open for the foreseeable future, even if it continues to be underutilized.

County Executive Vince Horrigan says he supports the project and the county is in a mode to continue airline service.

County lawmakers also approved an agreement with Wyoming County to house inmates. The rate per day within the agreement is $85 and the county will assume all medical costs for the inmates who are boarded in Wyoming County. Seven of the county’s inmates are currently located in the Wyoming County Jail.

Chautauqua County Legislator Terry Niebel (white shirt) explains why he won’t support a proposed amendment to extend legislator term lengths from 2 to 4 years during the July 27 meeting of the Chautauqua County Legislature. The amendment was approved 16 to 1 with Niebel casting the lone “no” vote.

MAYVILLE -Voters in Chautauqua County will have the opportunity to decide if they want to have their representatives in Mayville serve four-year terms rather than two-year terms.

During Wednesday’s Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, lawmakers voted 16 to 1 in favor of a local law that would switch terms from two years to four years. Under rules of the county charter, the amendment must still be approved in a public referendum in order to go into effect.

Only one lawmaker voted against the amendment. North county legislator Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk) said he’s against the idea of extending terms for several reasons, including his feeling that two-year terms represent a government that is closest to the people it represents, and also the fact that actually extending the term length might drive people away from running, as opposed to drawing them to it.

He also said that data from recent elections disproves the argument that legislators focus too much on running for reelection and not enough time on actual county business.

“One of the arguments that we hear quite often is that with two year terms legislators are running for reelection and with four-year terms they can concentrate more on their legislative duties, but actually this argument runs contrary to facts,” Niebel said. “In 2013, ten (out of 19) legislators ran unopposed: five Republicans and five Democrats. In 2015 that number had risen to eleven (out of 19) legislators running unopposed: eight Republicans and three Democrats…. So as you can see, running for reelection is not a problem for well over  50 percent of the members of this body.”

Niebel was the only legislator to vote against the amendment, which passed by a vote of 16 to 1 (legislators PJ Wendell of Lakewood and Mark Tarbrake of Jamestown were absent).

Even though all other legislators supported the amendment, several stated before the vote that they were personally against the idea, but still felt it should go before the public so it could have a final say in the matter.

“Personally I’m not in favor of a four-year term, for a lot of the reasons that legislator Niebel gave – Congress, state assembly, state senate, they’re all two years,” Said Chuck Nazarro (D-Jamestown). “I also support that it holds us accountable to the people who put us in office. It gives them an opportunity to grade us every two years… But I think it’s good for the public to have a voice in deciding this issue.”

“There are certainly pros or cons, but I think what we’re discussing tonight is are we going to let the voters decide on this,” said George Borrello (R-Irving). “Voting in favor of this is voting to put it on the November ballot. In the time between now and then discussions can occur and people will have the opportunity to discuss with each other and with us the pros and cons, and then hopefully they can make an informed decision.”

In addition to the term length amendment, lawmakers approved another amendment that increased the County Executive’s salary from the current amount of $85,000/year to $92,500.  The County Clerk’s salary is seeing a proposed increase from $53,000 to $55,500. And the County Sheriff’s salary would go from $82,500 to $85,000.

It was a approved 15 to 2 with legislators Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) and Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia) voting against it.

“At this time, with the way things are economically it’s just best to hold the line at where we are at until we get beyond what county executive Vince Horrigan has called a ‘structural deficit’ that we’re trying to take care of,” Lemon said. “I don’t think it’s prudent for us to be given anybody raises. If we are going to give raises it should be across the board and not just for particular offices – but I’m not in favor of that either at this time.”

On Wednesday night during the county legislature meeting, a motion was introduced encouraging the State to eliminate what the sponsors feel is an outdated precedent that prohibits the sale of alcohol on Sunday before noon at restaurants.  The motion was co-sponsored by county legislator George Borrello (R-Irving).

“Right now in New York State you can walk into a grocery store at 8 a.m. on a Sunday and purchase a case of beer if you’d like, but you can’t go to brunch and have a mimosa, or a bloody Mary or some other alcoholic beverage of your choice,” Borrello said. “This is an unfair targeting of this industry. Places like NY State Restaurant Association strongly support the change to this state law. It is truly unfair and should be corrected.”

However, the motion, which needed two-thirds (13 votes) support from county lawmakers in order to be sent to Albany, failed by one vote. Voting against the measure were Terry Niebel (R-Sheridan), Jay Gould (R-Ashville), John Hemmer (R-Westfield), and Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia). Both Elisabeth Rankin (R-Jamestown) and Lisa Vanstrom (R-Ellicott) abstained from the vote, citing a conflict of interest because they both work for members of the state legislature. Legislator Ron Lemon (R-Frewsburg) was absent.

Scudder said he wasn’t against business, but it was just his personal view that the state law remain unchanged.

“It’s just my personal opinion. I’m not against business and I’m not against anything that a ‘no’ vote could seem to stand for, other than I just personally don’t think it is necessary. Again, this is just a motion, not a resolution,” Scudder said.

While he didn’t have a vote on the matter, County executive Vince Horrigan said that because of the economic benefits the change would have on wineries and restaurants, he is in support of changing the law.

“It can help business,” Horrigan told WRFA following Wednesday’s meeting. “I don’t see a huge negative push-back or negative impact. I respect others that maybe have some personal reasons for not supporting the change. I go to church every Sunday, but I go to the 8:30 mass so I’m good to go by 10 or 10:30. I just think it’s a little outdated.”

Currently, anyone who wishes to have an alcoholic drink at a winery or restaurant must wait until noon to do so. The law also had an especially adverse effect this past fall when the Buffalo Bills played a game against the Jacksonville Jaguars in England, with the kickoff taking place at 9 a.m. in the morning here in New York. As a result, many restaurants and taverns across Western New York lost business from fans who typically watched Bills’ games at their establishments.

Jamestown legislators David Wilfong (left) and Elisabeth Rankin both won reelection in their respective legislature seats. The two join 13 other Republicans who won legislature races on Election Day 2015.

MAYVILLE – With only eight of 19 contested races in the Chautauqua County Legislature, there wasn’t expected to be much of a change, and that sentiment held true following the 2015 Elections, with only a handful of new faces joining the ranks of the legislature.

FOUR NEW NAMES ADDED TO 19 MEMBER LEGISLATURE

The legislature will have just four new members starting in January, with only one incumbent being unseated in a contested race on Election Day.

In District 2, challenger Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) defeated incumbent Shaun Heenan (R-Dunkirk) 679 to 365.

Two other newcomers were also elected after winning their respective contested races. In District 1, Kevin Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) defeated Democrat William Rivera (D-Dunkirk) 693 to 385. Muldowney will take the seat currently held by long-time legislator Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk), who did not seek reelection.

And in District 7, Mark Odell (R-Portland) defeated David Wilkinson (D-Cassadaga) 653 to 289. Odell will take the seat vacated by outgoing legislator John Runkle (R-Stockton), who is not seeking reelection.

The final newcomer is District 4‘s Christine Starks (D-Fredonia), who ran unopposed and will take over the seat held by legislator Janet Keefe (D-Fredonia), who also did not seek reelection.

REPUBLICANS SWEEP REMAINING CONTESTED RACES

There were two contested legislature races in the Jamestown area, and both Republican incumbents won reelection. In District 11 David Wilfong (R-Jamestown) defeated Robert Whitney (D-Jamestown) 347 to 305. In District 12, it was incumbent Elisabeth Rankin (R-Jamestown) defeating challenger Beth Kresge (D-Jamestown) 430 to 399. Both races were rematches from the 2013 election.

Other incumbents being reelected despite having opposition on the ballet were Legislature Chairman and Jay Gould (R-Ashville, District 17), Bob Scudder (R-Fredonia, District 3) and Terry Niebel (R-Dunkirk, District 5).

As a result of the elections, the GOP gained a seat in the legislature, strengthening its super-majority. Of the 19 members, 15 will be Republicans, 4 will be Democrats.

WINNERS OF 2015 CHAUTAUQUA COUNTY LEGISLATURE ELECTIONS

D1: Kevin J. Muldowney (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D2: Robert Bankoski (D-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D3: Bob Scudder* (R-Fredonia) (Won Contested Race)
D4: Christine Starks (D-Fredonia)
D5: Terry Niebel* (R-Dunkirk) (Won Contested Race)
D6: George Borrello* (R-Irving)
D7: Mark Odell (R-Portland) (Won Contested Race)
D8: Pierre Chagnon* (R-Bemus Point)
D9: Charles Nazzaro* (D-Jamestown)
D10: Paul Wendell* (R-Lakewood)
D11: David Wilfong* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D12: Elisabeth Rankin* (R-Jamestown) (Won Contested Race)
D13: Paul Whitford* (D-Jamestown)
D14: Mark Tarbrake* (R-Jamestown)
D15: Lisa Vanstrom* (R-Jamestown)
D16: Ronald Lemon* (R-Frewsburg)
D17: Jay Gould* (R-Ashville) (Won Contested Race)
D18: David Himelein* (R-Findley Lake)
D19: John Hemmer* (R-Westfield)

* – Incumbent

A map of the legislative districts for Chautauqua County.

On Wednesday night the legislature met to discuss and vote on the budget, with two amendments being added to the original spending plan presented by county executive Vince Horrigan in September.

One amendment that was approved on was allocating $56,343 from the county fund balance to pay for one of the two new positions being created in the county probation department. The legislature’s audit and control committee had initially recommended removing one of the two new positions However, lawmakers had since received new data that supported the need for two probation department positions.

“The probation department has been in need of staffing for a number of years,” explained Jamestown area legislator Mark Tarbrake (R-Jamestown). “We average about 140 cases per probation officer. That is the highest in New York State. Cattaraugus County, which is second highest, averages 103 cases per probation officer. I think it is essential that we keep this position that was originally added in the county executive’s budget.

The amendment to use the fund balance to pay for the position in 2016 was approved by a vote of 18 to 1, with Bemus Point’s Pierre Chagnon voting against it.

DISAGREEMENT ON FUND BALANCE USAGE

A more contentious amendment involved adding more than $440,000 of the county’s undesignated fund balance to help lower property taxes even further.

Some lawmakers, including George Borello (R-Irving), were against that idea, saying the county should not use one-shot revenues to pay for recurring expenses because that’s how budget deficits are created in future years.

“We made a commitment when we raised the sales tax. The commitment was that we would have a structurally balanced budget and that we would no longer use one-shot revenues to cover recurring expenses,” Borrello said, referring to the legislature’s financial management policy that was approved earlier this year. “That was the goal of raising sales tax – to bring down the property tax and to balance our budget, and to get away from one-shot revenue deals in order to balance our budget. So ladies and gentleman, we’re just getting out of rehab and we’re heading right back to the bar. We’re going to take money out of the fund balance right now, and I have to disagree with that.”

Borrello and others’ also voiced their concerns over the latest projected sales tax revenues for 2016, which will be more than $400,000 lower than initially projected because of lower fuel costs. In addition, the county may have a major challenge in 2017 with the possibility of the NRG closure in Dunkirk, which has being providing about $1.5 million in property tax payments to the county on annual basis.

But most of the legislature – including Ron Lemon (R-Lemon) – felt that using the additional fund balance money would provide further tax relief for county residents.

“I think that’s something that the residents of the towns and villages and cities deserve from the county, just because I know how difficult the struggle is going to be for them to actually bring back flat property tax rates where they are. So I’m in favor of this amendment,” Lemon said.

In all the legislature voted 12 to 7 in favor of using the additional fund balance money – making the total fund balance usage $500,000 and reducing the overall tax levy by just over 5 percent. That results in the property tax rate going down by 6.6 percent – making the new rate for 2016 $8.545 per thousand assessed value.

A TAX IS A TAX IS A TAX

Following discussion and vote on the amendments, the legislature approved the 2016 budget by a vote of 18 to 1, with outgoing legislator Keith Ahlstrom (D-Dunkirk) the lone “no” vote. Ahlstrom was against the idea of raising sales tax, claiming that while the county may be cutting the property tax levy by $3.1 million, that’s outweighed by a .5 percent increase in the sales tax – which will likely bring in more than $8 million in new tax revenue.

“We’ve managed to return $3 million to the tax payers, but we’ve done that by taxing the taxpayers and additional $8 million,” Ahlstrom said. “As somebody said earlier today, ‘a tax is a tax is a tax’ and we haven’t actually accomplished anything in this budget other than shift monies around and actually taken more money.”

Horrigan said that despite disagreeing with using the extra fund balance, he will not veto the amendment and will sign off on the budget by the end of this week.