County council approves small TB grant and booking fee, rejects prison boiler funding; adopts 2026–2028 operational plan

Erie County Council took four recorded actions at its Aug. 26 meeting: it approved a small supplemental public‑health appropriation, approved a new central‑booking fee line item, failed to adopt a supplemental appropriation for a county prison boiler replacement after tie votes, and approved the county’s 2026–2028 operational and capital plan.

Why it matters: The measures ranged from a modest grant for tuberculosis work to a contested six‑figure request for prison infrastructure. The boiler replacement vote highlighted fiscal scrutiny by some council members and differing views on whether to delay capital spending for additional information.

Ordinance No. 37, 2025 — public‑health TB funds Ordinance number 37, 2025, a first supplemental appropriation to the Public Health Fund of $4,938 for additional tuberculosis funds from the Pennsylvania Department of Health, was moved, seconded and approved on a recorded voice vote. Council members recorded as voting yes: Copeland; Horton; Schauerman; Winarski; Bale; Chairman Scatella. Outcome: approved.

Ordinance No. 38, 2025 — central booking fee line item Ordinance number 38, 2025, a general‑fund supplemental appropriation of $30,000 to create a new central‑booking fee line item, was approved after discussion. County Council member Horton said he would vote no “in protest” of the data system, but the measure passed. Recorded votes: yes — Schauerman, Winarski, Bale, Copeland, Chairman Scatella; no — Horton. Tally: 5 yes, 1 no. Outcome: approved.

Ordinance No. 39, 2025 — prison boiler replacement (contested) Ordinance number 39, 2025, described as a $366,000 general‑fund supplemental appropriation for federal reimbursement for a county‑prison boiler replacement, generated extended discussion. Council members asked for additional details on the boiler’s condition and prior repair costs and debated whether to table the item to gather information. A motion to table initially failed. The council then voted on the ordinance itself and the final counted vote was 3–3, which the clerk recorded as failing. Recorded split: yes — Schauerman, Winarski, Bale; no — Copeland, Horton, Chairman Scatella. Outcome: failed (3–3 tie).

Resolution No. 19, 2025 — operational and capital plan Resolution number 19, 2025, approving the 2026–2028 Erie County operational and capital plan with the county council response, was moved, seconded and adopted by unanimous recorded vote. Outcome: approved.

What members said: Council member Winarski asked for delays and more information on the boiler’s condition and previous repair costs; Horton said he would vote no on the boiler item, criticizing the county executive for not budgeting the expense and saying, “If we are asking all county residents to manage their checkbook and their bank book, we should certainly demand that of our county executive.” Council members also noted the pending county budget in 35 days and an ongoing state budget impasse affecting pass‑through funds.

Next steps: The council did not adopt the boiler replacement appropriation and gave no timetable on when the county would return with the requested details. The finance and personnel committees meet again Sept. 4, and the next regular County Council meeting is Sept. 9.