Steve Abdallah, a retired county attorney and member of the Chautauqua County Charter and Code Review Commission, presented the commission's executive summary and draft amendments to the county charter and administrative code during the Dec. 17 legislature meeting.

Abdallah highlighted three principal recommendations: first, that all budget procedures after the issuance of the tentative budget be set in a local law adopted by the legislature rather than by an administrative code promulgated solely by the county executive; second, that the charter be amended to make clear the county executive's role as chief executive and fiduciary with authority to oversee countywide-elected officials on uniform policies (for example, civil service, purchasing, fiscal controls and cyber security); and third, that the existing provision requiring the legislature to adopt annual goals and objectives be made optional and that such goals be subject to county executive veto and legislative override procedures.

"It is the recommendation of the commission that all budget procedures after the tentative budget has been presented be solely covered by a local law adopted by this county legislature," Abdallah said, explaining the change would avoid potential inconsistencies between local law and the administrative code.

Abdallah explained the history of the charter, noting the county shifted to a charter form of government in 1973 and that later amendments in the 1990s altered how the administrative code and tentative budgets were handled. He said the commission's proposed changes will be brought forward to the legislature in smaller groupings and will go through committee review and the legislative process next year.

Why it matters: The recommended changes would alter the balance of procedural control in the budget process and clarify the scope of executive oversight of countywide functions. If the legislature adopts proposed charter amendments, some changes would require a two-thirds legislative vote and, depending on the provision, a public referendum or administrative process.

What’s next: Abdallah said the commission's recommendations will be presented to the legislature in grouped items for committee consideration and potential action in 2026.