Council advances Ordinance 46 to second reading to stop payments exceeding appropriations; resident calls for stricter budget accountability

Erie County Council on Oct. 21 voted to advance Ordinance 46, titled "stopping payments made in excess of budgeted appropriations," to a second reading.

Mr. Copeland moved to advance the ordinance; the motion was seconded and carried by roll call. Council members recorded affirmative votes during the roll call, including Mr. Drexel, Mr. Horton, Mrs. Schauerman, Mr. Buonarski, Mr. Bale, Mr. Copeland and Chairman Scatella. No negative votes were recorded on the motion to move the ordinance to second reading.

During public comment earlier in the meeting, Matt Textor of Erie told the council he supported Ordinance 46 and criticized the administration’s budget practices. "The administration's inability to come up with a viable budget combined with its inability to stick to a budget, is alarming," Textor said, urging council to "reign in this unruly administration." Textor also framed the ordinance as a necessary accountability measure ahead of projected federal funding shortfalls.

The Oct. 21 action advanced the ordinance process; the transcript records only the motion to move to second reading and a roll-call affirmation. The ordinance will return for a subsequent reading or vote at a later meeting according to council procedure.