County Legislators Narrowly Pass Amended 2027 Budget

Chautauqua County lawmakers have narrowly approved a 2027 budget that includes a tax levy increase, but also a tax rate reduction. After some discussion about concerns over costs going forward, the legislature Wednesday evening approved the $330 million spending plan by a 10-9 vote. Westfield Republican Fred Johnson said he's concerned because spending in the past year's budget was $2 million more than what came into the county...

Fred Johnson: not aggressive enough in cutting expenses

Dunkirk Democrat Robert Bankoski said his excitement over County Executive P.J. Wendel's proposal to use $11.5 million in undesignated fund balance became tempered during budget talks. He wanted to table the spending plan...

Robert Bankoski: send it back to committee

However, his motion to table was defeated by a 12-7 vote. Frewsburg Republican Dalton Anthony backed Wendel's proposal while acknowledging the need for more discussion and work on the budget going forward...

Dalton Anthony: prefer to keep original budget

The adopted spending plan raises the tax levy to $76,810,369 -- an increase of approximately $1.8 million -- and uses nearly $2.8 million less fund balance than what Wendel proposed. The county's overall property tax rate will still be 71 cents per thousand lower than this year.

Image and audio from Chautauqua County Government