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Chautauqua County Legislature adopts 2026 planning goals after debate over job-growth metric
Summary
The Chautauqua County Legislature on July 23 approved the Department of Planning and Development's 2026 goals, objectives and performance measures after rejecting an amendment that would have named job growth the top economic priority and tied the measure to BLS'reported employed-persons counts.
The Chautauqua County Legislature voted July 23 to adopt the Department of Planning and Development's proposed goals, objectives and performance measures for 2026 after rejecting an amendment to make job growth the county's top economic-development goal.
Legislator Larson proposed the amendment, which he said would add a single goal reading, "Job growth is the legislature's number 1 economic development goal in 2026," and an objective directing the county to "use all the resources of the county government to facilitate new and existing businesses to add jobs." Larson cited Bureau of Labor Statistics data reported through FRED, saying, "As of May 2025, employed persons in Chautauqua County totaled 51,000." He framed that decline from a prior peak as the rationale for a measurable employment metric.
Larson moved the amendment and Legislator Bankoskie seconded it. The motion to amend received four votes in favor (Larson, Bankoskie, Nelson, Buchanan) and was defeated. The full resolution then passed on roll call 13-4 with two members absent.
Why it matters: lawmakers debated whether the legislature should set a specific, measurable employment target or preserve broader, department-drafted goals. Proponents said a single employment metric would create accountability and track whether local efforts stemmed a multi-year decline in employed residents; opponents argued the county's role is to create a business environment rather than dictate job totals.
During debate, Legislator Nelson said the amendment proposed a clear, measurable goal and supported Larson. Legislator Johnson, who earlier voted against the draft in committee, said as an economist he did not view government'directed job creation as appropriate policy and preferred focusing on creating an environment conducive to jobs. Legislator Niebel and others noted state-level factors affecting business climate.
The adopted resolution lists multiple goals and related performance measures prepared by the Department of Planning and Development. The legislature's roll-call on adoption recorded 13 yes, 4 no and 2 absent; the clerk announced the resolution as adopted.
The legislature also discussed the wording and numbering of goals during debate; Legislator Nelson asked for clarity where similar goals appeared more than once in the document.
Looking ahead: the resolution will be part of the record used as the county executive prepares the tentative budget due in September, and several legislators said amendments or referrals to committee could be pursued in August if additional edits were desired.
