[{"_1":2,"_110":-5,"_111":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6461081,"mediaKeyId","5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce","parentId",5825885,"title","Legislature adopts emergency resolution backing local choice on home energy amid CLCPA debate","audioSeconds",444,"startMs",2950000,"endMs",3394000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce&start=2950&end=3394","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce/thumbnail_2950000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6461081/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Legislature-adopts-emergency-resolution-backing-local-choice-on-home-energy-amid-CLCPA-debate","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461081-12b5e8a64797c7170fde8bef5b92a30b/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977595&Signature=aLmujAdJoDD5C0hnWz0fIv7WltiKlMgswveo~s~5ch10sm~9KngW2-JDi6JksHm07rBYK-ggHbzhmoqTN1GuM2p4VemTLGO0TKK7Etj~HCW0T-7gQUy8WAJ63hWLk6caL05kFU37ljCXRg5d8Qs-X-oVky6wq36NFTqxEnU1imYQsavm87YjqR4KBZiDWtyApkp6qJh~u7yQCDfXQFKZCACM-MzqczB4OZaCq2-UJypiMHxwDSUMO5Gz-nj1YbSFbc-melGvQPq1C64TjLQuLy2Ea-tHUTdCG~GQzsGI2Bha9TgUtD4H0wxGqT2Cu09i8~9WwFC5EG6TIK2h8TlfWA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Chautauqua County, NY","date","2025-09-25T00:08:51.46Z","article","The Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday adopted an emergency resolution — brought to the floor and passed the same night — that, according to debate on the chamber floor, urges preservation of local choices about energy service in new homes and takes issue with language concerning natural gas in state policy.

The emergency resolution was placed on the floor after a motion to bring it forward passed 16–2 with one member absent. During floor debate several legislators spoke both for and against the measure.

Legislator Jonathan R. Nelson said he could not support the resolution and disputed language in it that described natural gas as \"clean burning.\" “I don't agree with the statement in the resolution that says natural gas is clean burning,” Nelson said, adding he supports the goals of the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act.

Other legislators framed the measure as defending customer choice for home builders. Legislator Bob Bankoskie said prospective homeowners should be able to choose gas or electric service when building: “If they want to be hooked up to electric or gas I don't think that we should dictate to them what they should have to do,” he said. Legislator Scudder said he backed the resolution’s substance but questioned its legal force: “My struggle tonight is...it's a resolution to me that looks like a motion. I'm not sure how much clout we really have by passing something like this,” he said, and added he would vote against the procedural question but supported the principle.

Legislator Larson likewise described the item as a motion disguised as a resolution and said he would vote against it on that basis.

Final action: The roll call on the resolution recorded 15 yes votes, 3 no votes and 1 member absent; the chairman declared the resolution adopted.

What it does and what it does not

- The transcript records debate and adoption but does not include the resolution's full text beyond the topics discussed; the article does not attribute assertions to the resolution that do not appear verbatim in the transcript.
- Legislators debated both the merits of promoting local choice for new home energy systems and the broader state climate policy known as the Climate Leadership and Community Protection Act (CLCPA), which was referenced in the discussion.

Context

The measure arrived as an emergency resolution, which the legislature can bring to the floor immediately if a majority agrees. Supporters described it as defending builders' and homeowners’ ability to select gas, electric or other energy sources; opponents said the item looked more like an advisory motion and raised concerns about its claims about emissions and public-health benefits.

Ending

The measure passed at the Sept. 24 meeting. The transcript does not show the resolution’s next steps (for example, whether it will be transmitted to state officials); the adopted text is not included in the meeting record excerpt provided.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","2026 Budget Presentation & Legislature Meeting 09/24/25","oneSentenceSummary","The Chautauqua County Legislature adopted an emergency resolution supporting local choice over home energy installations and criticizing aspects of state climate policy language; the measure was debated before passing 15–3 with one member absent.","taxTitle","Chautauqua County, New York","taxId",14530,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461086,"Chautauqua County executive proposes $309.7 million 2026 budget, holds tax rate steady below state cap",1411,727000,2138000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce&start=727&end=2138","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce/thumbnail_727000.jpg","/articles/6461086/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Chautauqua-County-executive-proposes-3097-million-2026-budget-holds-tax-rate-steady-below-state-cap","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461086-8d64e7b4cc2462e00caf11df4b4e56e4/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977595&Signature=c7You4RmtMxGFwzPRKmLBV8D8GkKlGsmEaP0ThEYLWlatnu9ahIs-I3msBz3p34hRahbOH1T9pXEcre86watSeNEFFJgw0YNrrkdFdR4LQQxwUyxU1SEym7yhro300S8fjT2apZXUpYp7ny5IJ~klcLo2I8T8iMB~FdhsEB2tTtUrykmO0JOQ8p5riD1aRmoWUkc6IhoIM9u54FP6Q8rsqYs7Ph1o95bO7~wxhf8MCfCbxh9dTUA0zjMS~7YUWENFwks0cCgJWq4iAbd00w8rog-QBiboXaxw3dCiRQDpWHKzMC4C9n172y0Oz6HveSjKj628lD~7fYsyBImkCuIag__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","County Executive Paul M. Wendell Jr. on Wednesday presented a $309,700,000 tentative 2026 Chautauqua County budget that he said is structurally balanced, stays at or below New York State's property tax cap and preserves the county’s reserves.

Wendell framed the plan as fiscally conservative while maintaining services: “I am proposing a $309,700,000 budget,” he said, and added his administration will keep reserves between 5 and 15 percent of county appropriations as outlined in the county’s financial management plan.

The proposed budget would rely on a mix of revenues: Wendell said about 23 percent of the county’s governmental fund revenue comes from property taxes, 19 percent from state aid, 18 percent from state sales tax, 14 percent from designated revenues and 13 percent from federal aid. He said only about 1 percent of the budget is funded from the county’s fund balance.

Why it matters: Wendell said the plan preserves core services while responding to rising costs from unfunded state mandates and inflation. He identified mandated state programs — including TANF, Medicaid, early intervention and pre-K special education — as consuming limited local flexibility, and said unfunded mandates will amount to more than $93,200,000 in 2026.

Key numbers and priorities

- Total proposed governmental fund budget: $309,700,000 (enterprise funds included; internal service funds and municipal sales tax excluded).
- Proposed county tax rate: $6.17 per $1,000 of assessed value (a decrease of $0.54 from the prior year, according to Wendell).
- Allowed tax levy increase: $1,700,000 (2 percent); proposed levy $74,900,000.
- Reserve target: maintain fund balance near 11.5 percent.
- Revenue shares: Wendell said the county projects $98,000,000 in sales tax receipts in 2026, with a county share of approximately $57,900,000 and 41.25 percent ($40.6 million projected) to be shared with municipalities.
- Major capital and program investments cited: more than $13,000,000 for county highways and bridge/culvert projects; $2,000,000 for upgrades at Jamestown Community College; over $3,000,000 for public safety and emergency services; expansion of a county “fly car” emergency medical response program to Clymer and Sherman.

Wendell described the budget priorities in percentage terms: 49 percent for human services, 22 percent for public facilities (including water and sewer districts), 19 percent public safety, 9 percent administrative services and 2 percent planning and economic development.

On funding choices and one-time sources

Wendell said the administration did not use American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funds to balance operations; instead ARPA went to capital investments. He listed several one-time revenues that have contributed to the fund balance since 2020 — additional Medicaid assistance, foreclosure-related receipts, settlements and IDA bond proceeds — totaling roughly $17,500,000 in cumulative additions. He reaffirmed a policy of using fund balance only for one-time, not recurring, expenses.

Wendell also proposed a $500,000 government efficiency fund (separate from the tentative budget) to help municipalities with merger, consolidation or shared-service startup costs and suggested amending a local law to increase reimbursement caps for upfront municipal costs from $50,000 to $100,000.

Tax rate and property valuations

Wendell said assessed values grew about 11.2 percent to roughly $12.15 billion countywide; because valuations rose faster than the levy, the tax rate would fall. He framed the change as an outcome of reassessments and market activity.

Next steps and context

Wendell closed by urging collaboration with the legislature and local leaders to maintain services while protecting fiscal stability. The legislature will hold public hearings and act on the tentative budget in coming weeks; the clerk read a resolution to publish notices regarding the 2026 tentative budget and maximum legislative salaries, which the legislature adopted during the meeting.

Ending

Wendell said the plan seeks to balance fiscal restraint with targeted investments and to keep the county “at or below the state-mandated tax cap.” The legislature’s formal budget deliberations and public hearings will determine final appropriations and any changes to the tentative plan.

","County Executive Paul M. Wendell Jr. presented a $309.7 million tentative 2026 budget that stays under the state tax cap, proposes a $6.17 per $1,000 tax rate and prioritizes human services, public facilities and public safety while using about 1% of fund balance.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461071,"Votes at a glance: Chautauqua County legislature approves multiple reappointments, grants, FAA lease and sales-tax extension",876,2134000,3010000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce&start=2134&end=3010","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce/thumbnail_2134000.jpg","/articles/6461071/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Votes-at-a-glance-Chautauqua-County-legislature-approves-multiple-reappointments-grants-FAA-lease-and-sales-tax-extension","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461071-4f9ec9be9296e2ec099c7a664c5545dd/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977595&Signature=CaMqbeCNa8~C2wAlYe3a-REDWgcEZzImTZqPydSoaYOj6abCOIb9~lx6Bl4BqW2Z5Gg83PGJDayCY682ANG4P-0tpNo~tjohLEmHEU7sCct8LppH7JZB-XKiDvJ7~vxykkd0eb~glCE8Z3lWD6QThoLbh~T-RfIFrcPIN0-2Be0NYYFbhre1vh5B9CqG4cGCQjS-tu545X-NZqmxEXMnzCcRjAMOZvE2TdHgLamwohU4B6ErPCtEq~EvJwzUhGN0dXY3j8IdufC~t96iuN1BmirB3Fh34u-M4zN3wEQwx9VYkvCAXXOo0GYpM4tuRTKBgGGYQt8rwvlkXoC0xlmvIQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Chautauqua County Legislature on Sept. 24 approved multiple routine and policy resolutions, including board reappointments, grant authorizations, adoption of an FAA terminal-lease resolution and a county sales tax extension. Most measures were approved by voice vote or unanimous consent; several items drew roll-call results.

Selected items and outcomes (recorded during the meeting):

- Resolution 226-25: Confirm reappointment, South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer District Board — carried (voice vote).

- Resolution 227-25: Confirm reappointment, Chautauqua County Board of Health — carried (voice vote).

- Resolution 228-25: Confirm appointments, Chautauqua Opportunities board of directors — carried (voice vote).

- Resolution 229-25: South and Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts — authorization to accept capacity study grant and appropriate local match — carried (voice vote).

- Resolution 230-25: Authorize lease with the Federal Aviation Administration for antenna and equipment space within the terminal building at Chautauqua County Jamestown Airport — carried (voice vote).

- Blocked then carried package (Resolutions 231–235, as described in the clerk’s reading): The legislature voted to block resolutions 231–235 from immediate separate consideration and then approved the block; the package included budget amendments and other department adjustments and carried as a block (voice vote recorded as carried).

- Resolution (sales tax extension): Resolution titled \"resolution of the county legislature of the county of Chautauqua imposing general sales and compensating use taxes, pursuant to the authority of section 1210 of article 29 of the New York tax law\" — adopted by roll call: 14 yes, 4 no, 1 absent. (Multiple legislators spoke for and against the measure before the vote.)

- Resolution (setting salary for digital forensic investigator): Adopted by roll call with 18 yes votes and 1 member absent (recorded by the clerk as adopted).

- Resolution 238-25: Authorize acceptance of the New York State victim assistance program funding for 2025 — carried (voice vote).

- Resolution 239-25 (title correction and adoption): Amend 2025 budget for Office of Emergency Services and authorize acceptance of FY2022 technical rescue and urban search and rescue grant — corrected title and adopted (voice vote/roll call recorded as carried).

- Resolution 240-25: Authorized execution of FY2022 explosive detection canine team grant from New York State Office of Homeland Security — carried.

- Resolution 241-25: Authorize execution of New York State Governor's Traffic Safety Committee grant for Police Traffic Services Program FY2026 — carried.

- Resolution 242-25: Authorize regional partnership agreements with municipalities for the tactical team program — carried.

- Resolution 243-25: Authorize Office for the Aging to submit MIPPA funding applications annually — carried.

- Resolution 244-25: Authorize Department of Mental Hygiene to provide clinical supervision or mental-health related trainings to public schools — carried.

- Resolution 245-25: Authorize and approve settlement agreement and action related to the opioid litigation (Purdue Pharma LP and Sackler family) — carried.

- Resolution 246-25: Authorize execution of county infrastructure grant program agreement for the Homesteads at Dunkirk Landing and Welch's Building — carried.

- Resolution 247-25: Authorize clerk to publish notices regarding public hearings on the 2026 tentative budget and legislative salary maximums — adopted by roll call (18 yes, 1 absent reported when clerk called the roll).

For many routine resolutions the clerk recorded a voice vote of \"aye\" and declared the measure carried. Where the clerk conducted a roll call, the meeting record shows the exact tally and, in some cases, individual yes/no votes were read aloud and recorded.

Ending

The meeting concluded after public comments and the second privilege of the floor; multiple public-safety, grant and administrative measures were adopted and the legislature moved to adjourn.","At its Sept. 24 meeting the Chautauqua County Legislature approved a suite of routine and policy resolutions, including reappointments, grant acceptances, a lease with the Federal Aviation Administration and an extension of local sales tax; notable roll-call results accompanied several measures.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":103,"_47":104,"_49":105,"_51":106,"_53":107,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":108,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":109,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6461076,"Chautauqua Lake advocates urge centralized authority, cite worsening weed conditions and call for action",0,3842000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce&start=3842&end=3842","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5825885-b34e4e5d7874a1dff491f7bea22f07ce/thumbnail_3842000.jpg","/articles/6461076/Chautauqua-County/New-York/Chautauqua-Lake-advocates-urge-centralized-authority-cite-worsening-weed-conditions-and-call-for-action","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6461076-858659f365609bd8c431fba1098b9c7c/orig.mp4?Expires=1770977595&Signature=aU3wcCbJiNCKiTt~fM5-~Jm2aWTe08OunITa5-AP7zqr2f62MIUPKpUoJZxb-EGx-Aj-rMmecLBWCaP4VhvzCYm06sAHf8oU~kXC8JNvQOyJBfOddYCBrdHvIZvm1NLBDB5if1y~w~YkLDQIY-gzHobMYnjZRBq3~hodEmiqX-esx5x0dijozTPUZy3ySrHdN5RzgX8SCpaWn01rHYmXn6WvYe4nbKwU~gXou7HfSmQUZhXGD~O1m6VB1YXprUIOO-Upauu6YehQl1nGXNaTJuTF7xwahhv9JdsvbUWz0RzUSm24JU3kr1vVBSr6WHNbSAbuufWkGHkgOCGy8SlxAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","A representative of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association told the Chautauqua County Legislature on Wednesday that the lake’s aquatic-vegetation problems are worsening and urged county leaders to create a centralized lake authority or district with statutory authority and elected local officials.

Dan Smith, treasurer of the CLPOA, told the legislature the association drew a large crowd for a recent public meeting and said local tourism and lake-dependent businesses suffered in 2025. “We need a centralized lake authority or a district,” Smith said, asking for an entity “made up of Lakeside town supervisors and village mayors, people elected by the community accountable to the taxpayers and operating transparently.”

Smith criticized recent wetlands regulations and said they would accelerate weed growth unless challenged successfully in litigation. He also questioned the pace and usefulness of county-funded research. Smith said the Jefferson Project has spent about $5,000,000 and the county had invested about $1,250,000 but, he said, produced little in the way of actionable recommendations so far.

Why it matters

Speakers said lake conditions affect tourism and the local economy; the CLPOA called for a formal management entity with authority to implement a professional lake management plan. Smith urged the county to move beyond studies and short-term adjustments.

What the transcript shows and does not show

The transcript records the CLPOA’s presentation and its calls for a different governance structure. It does not record any immediate legislative action or a response from county staff proposing specific next steps during the meeting excerpt.

Ending

Smith concluded by asking the legislature to consider structural change to lake governance; the meeting moved on without recorded action on the request in the provided transcript excerpt.","Representatives of the Chautauqua Lake Property Owners Association told the legislature the lake’s weed problems are worsening, urged creation of a centralized lake authority or district, and criticized recent wetlands regulations and slow delivery of actionable recommendations from county-funded research.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Legislature adopts emergency resolution backing local choice on home energy amid CLCPA debate

Chautauqua County executive proposes $309.7 million 2026 budget, holds tax rate steady below state cap

Votes at a glance: Chautauqua County legislature approves multiple reappointments, grants, FAA lease and sales-tax extension

Chautauqua Lake advocates urge centralized authority, cite worsening weed conditions and call for action