Erie County committee debates ordinance to restrict use of county resources after social‑media dispute

Members of the Erie County Finance and Personnel Committee spent much of a meeting discussing Ordinance 11, an amendment to the Erie County Administrative Code that would restrict county resources to official government business, prompted by complaints about recent changes to county social‑media accounts.

The issue reached the committee after members and staff said the county executive—s office consolidated or rebranded county posts under a new umbrella that committee members described as "United Erie County," and that some departments have shifted job postings and other communications from the main Erie County Facebook page (about 6,500 followers) to a separate careers page (about 300 followers).

The ordinance, introduced at first reading at an earlier meeting, would formalize limits on county resources for nonofficial purposes. Committee Chair (Finance Committee) said it would be helpful to have more administration representation at future meetings so the committee could get direct answers. "It would be nice if there was other representation from the administration," the chair said during debate.

Councilman Drexel and other members said they are frustrated that county social‑media activity now appears to be directed in ways they view as partisan or not transparent. "This page represents 22 elected officials who have been hijacked," a council member said, adding that the change could harm recruitment and communication with residents. Several members urged the solicitor—s office to consult with counsel for the county executive on whether an ordinance is the proper remedy.

Human Resources staff told the committee the county is updating its employee handbook and reviewing a digital/social media policy that exists in older documents on the county intranet. An HR representative said the handbook is an employee‑facing document and that HR can address employee responsibilities, but that elected‑official conduct and ownership of public pages are matters best handled between solicitors and, if necessary, by ordinance.

County staff and members raised practical concerns about the effect on recruitment: the committee heard that recruiting posts that formerly reached thousands via the main county page are now carried on a lower‑followed careers page and therefore reach fewer residents and potential applicants. "The more activity there is on that social media page, the higher it's going to be ranking on your Facebook feed," an HR official said.

No formal vote on Ordinance 11 occurred at the meeting. Committee members requested follow‑up from solicitors and from the administration and discussed possible alternatives including a separate council‑managed page or a supplemental or clarifying ordinance that would establish enforcement or consequences for misuse of county resources.

If adopted, the ordinance would amend the Erie County Administrative Code; committee members said they expect additional legal review and recommended solicitors for council and the administration confer before further committee action.

The ordinance remains at committee stage pending additional legal review and possible revisions.