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Committee approves $2 million increase to safety-net spending amid historic temporary-housing levels
Summary
The Human Services Committee approved an amendment and final resolution to increase safety-net contract spending by $2,000,000 in the 2024 budget, using $1.2 million of fund balance; staff said the county has a historic high of about 190 people in temporary housing and outlined preventive and wraparound programs to reduce future costs.
The Chautauqua County Human Services Committee voted to amend and then adopt a resolution modifying the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services’ 2024 budget to increase safety‑net contract spending.
Blake Gehrig, Director of Administrative Services, said the resolution requests a $2,000,000 increase to contract costs and to use $1.2 million of unassigned fund balance to cover part of the change. During discussion, a committee member identified an irrelevant third "whereas" clause in the draft and moved to amend the resolution to strike that clause; the amendment was seconded and approved by voice vote.
Deputy Commissioner John Anderson described the county’s homelessness response and prevention work, saying the county currently has a historic high of about "190" people in temporary housing and that state and federal supports have shifted in ways that increase demand for county safety-net services. Anderson outlined an upcoming New York State OTDA-funded supportive family support program — including two case managers, two care coordinators and peer support — intended to help families move out of temporary housing.
Anderson and other staff said the county is pursuing additional state supplements under review by the Department of Budget that could create significant savings if approved; staff cited potential savings of over $2,000,000 contingent on state approval. Committee members pressed on prevention strategies and whether eviction trends, weather or other factors were driving costs; staff said multiple factors contribute and that some conversion projects (rehabbing hotels into apartments) are being explored as long-term solutions.
After discussion and the amendment to remove the extraneous clause, the committee voted by voice to approve the amended budget resolution; members responded "Aye." The transcript records the voice vote but does not include a roll-call tally.
