Public Safety Committee approves GIVE grant, three labor agreements and sheriff office budget amendments

The Chautauqua County Public Safety Committee approved a package of funding and personnel actions at its August meeting, including acceptance of a state gun‑violence prevention grant, ratification of three tentative labor agreements affecting sheriff’s personnel, and budget neutral amendments to the sheriff’s grants and 9‑1‑1 budgets.

Madeline Cantaglia of the District Attorney’s Office presented a resolution to accept the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) grant for 2025–26. "The entire jurisdiction of Chautauqua County received, dollars 738,212 for this, this period," Cantaglia said. Chautauqua County’s share was $428,232: $278,300 for the district attorney’s office, $113,432 for the sheriff’s office and $36,500 for probation. The grant term runs July 1 through June 30 (2025–26), and Cantaglia said the amounts above-budget for 2025 will be included in proposed 2026 budgets. The committee approved the resolution by voice vote with the correction that the resolution’s whereas clause should have included probation.

The committee also approved three tentative, member‑ratified labor agreements presented by Debbie Michalski, director of Human Resources, and supported by Sheriff Jim Quattrone. Key points:

- Deputy Sheriffs Association of Chautauqua County (DSAC): DSAC represents deputies, sergeants, crime scene analysts and related positions. The unit has 67 members; 37 voted in the ratification meeting and the vote was 100% in favor of the tentative agreement. Michalski said the four‑year agreement implements step eliminations, a top‑step adjustment and other clarifying language and provides 4% across‑the‑board increases each year. Kitty Crowe, director of finance, estimated the 2026 cost increase for this unit at about $700,000.

- CSEA Unit 6322 (part‑time deputies and court officers): This group has 33 members; 24 participated in the ratification vote and 100% voted to ratify. The tentative agreement is four years, includes a one‑time $500 payment by February 2026 to reach a single rate of pay in 2026, then 2.5% increases in 2027–29, and clarifying language to reduce administrative tracking.

- Chautauqua County Sheriff’s Supervisors Association (CCSSA): The lieutenants’ group has seven members; all seven voted and ratified 100%. The agreement includes a first‑year adjustment to address compression with subordinate ranks and 4% increases in later years; officials said language clarifications were also included.

Committee members repeatedly emphasized recruitment and retention as the primary drivers for the higher wage adjustments. Michalski said the intent was to align pay with other local police agencies and reduce administrative provisions that had caused confusion or grievances.

On budget matters the committee approved three Sheriff’s Office amendments, all described as budget neutral and funded by grants or dedicated 9‑1‑1 surcharges:

- Grants equipment purchase: increase appropriation by $257,458 and offset by federal and New York State aid to purchase equipment through grant reallocation.

- E‑9‑1‑1 software maintenance: increase contractual account by $11,000 and offset by non‑property‑tax revenue because some grants were delayed and could not cover purchases within the grant performance period.

- W‑9‑1‑1 (wireless) software maintenance: increase contractual account by $76,729 and offset by non‑property‑tax revenue for the same reason; committee members clarified E‑9‑1‑1 refers to landline and W‑9‑1‑1 to wireless surcharge revenue.

All the listed resolutions and amendments were approved by voice vote during the meeting.

Votes at a glance: GIVE grant (acceptance) — approved; DSAC tentative agreement — approved; CSEA 6322 tentative agreement — approved; CCSSA tentative agreement — approved; Grants equipment budget amendment ($257,458) — approved; E‑9‑1‑1 software amendment ($11,000) — approved; W‑9‑1‑1 software amendment ($76,729) — approved.