Council proposes ordinance to bar partisan use of county social media after official page attacked four Democrats

A county councilor said the official Erie County government social media page published a post attacking four Democratic council members and introduced an ordinance intended to prohibit elected or appointed officials from using county social media accounts, websites, email systems, equipment or personnel for partisan political messaging.

A councilor summarized the proposed ordinance as prohibiting use of county facilities, equipment, funds or personnel "from using social media accounts, websites, email systems for partisan political messaging, campaign promotion, or election related endorsement" and banning the use of county seals, logos or branding "in any communication which implies political support or opposition." The speaker said the post in question had prompted numerous public comments, and that residents were being directed to a campaign page for vital county information during a weather emergency.

Another speaker said, "we're all employees of your account. We're all elected officials in your account," emphasizing that the official page serves many county offices and should not be used as a partisan tool. Council members asked the solicitor to review the draft ordinance and indicated they would revise section and article references for legal compliance before placing the item on the next meeting agenda.

No vote was recorded in the transcript; councilors said they will refine the draft with solicitor edits and consider the ordinance at a later meeting.

Ending: Councilors signaled bipartisan interest in a rule that would limit political messaging using county resources and planned solicitor review and edits before scheduling the ordinance for formal consideration.