Legislature approves package of budget amendments, grants, airport projects and labor contracts

The Chautauqua County Legislature’s Audit and Control Committee approved 20 resolutions Wednesday, advancing a range of budget amendments, grant acceptances, airport design and construction projects, and labor-contract ratifications.

The measures included budget reapportionments for sewer districts, acceptance of federal airport grants for design and construction work at Jamestown and Dunkirk airports, authorization to apply for a New York State CDBG septic-and-well grant, acceptance of the GIVE (Gun Involved Violence Elimination) grant funds, several departmental grant- and budget-neutral amendments for public safety and emergency services, and ratification of multiple labor contracts for county sheriff personnel.

Committee members fronted most votes with brief discussion. Several items drew routine questions about vendor selection, project cost and longer-term county obligations; a small number of resolutions drew a recorded dissent.

Most notable votes - Airport projects and FAA lease: The committee approved a 10-year lease renewal with the Federal Aviation Administration for space in the Jamestown terminal and accepted federal funding for design phases and construction items at Jamestown and Dunkirk airports. Committee discussion included questions about long-term county obligations for federally funded airport projects and whether to include inflationary rent adjustments in the FAA lease. - North Chautauqua Lake Sewer District: The committee approved reapportioning 2024 grant funds to 2025 so the district can pay outstanding engineering invoices. - Portland/Pomfret/Dunkirk Sewer District: The committee approved using district fund balance to replace one obsolete transfer switch at a pump station after receiving a quote from Beck Electric; members amended the proposed resolution language to state the district had “received a quote” rather than “accepted” it. - Mental hygiene office leases: The committee approved lease renewals for county mental hygiene and social services offices at 2 Academy (Town of Chautauqua) and third-floor space in Jamestown City Hall; county staff said the Jamestown move is intended to co-locate mobile crisis teams, court navigators and outreach staff for better coordination. - CDBG septic-and-well grant application: Committee approved a resolution to apply for New York State Office of Community Renewal CDBG funds to assist low- and moderate-income households with septic and well replacement. Income limits and program details will be presented at a public hearing at the full Legislature meeting next week. - GIVE grant (District Attorney and public safety partners): The committee authorized acceptance of $428,332 in county-administered funds, with $278,300 for the district attorney, $113,432 for the sheriff’s office and $36,500 for probation; the City of Jamestown will separately execute its $309,980 share. Officials said the funding supports joint enforcement details, personnel costs and training; they said no mandates would force county spending beyond the grant. - Labor contracts: The committee ratified tentative agreements covering deputy sheriffs (DSAC), part-time deputy sheriffs and court officers (CSEA Unit 63-22), and sheriff supervisors/lieutenants (CCSSA). Contracts include multi-year wage adjustments intended to improve regional competitiveness and retention.

Votes and recorded opposition Most measures passed by voice vote. Committee minutes show routine “aye” votes for the majority of items; a minority of airport-related measures and the septic CDBG application drew at least one recorded dissent on the record. Committee members asked for future briefings on county net cost to operate the airports over time and on work-plan details for larger engineering estimates.

What the votes do next Several approvals (airport design and construction grants, the bonding resolution for North Chautauqua Water District improvements, and the CDBG application) position staff to proceed with grant applications, contract solicitations and project design. Budget amendments labeled "budget neutral" will be reflected in departmental 2025 accounts; departments said planned 2026 budget submissions will include grant-funded positions or program costs where applicable.

The committee chair closed the meeting after taking the roll on the final resolutions. Several members asked for additional follow-up briefings on project costs, vendor selection procedures and the county's long-term exposure from accepting federal airport grants.