Pierre Chagnon was elected chairman of the Chautauqua County Legislature at the body’s organizational meeting on Jan. 2, 2026, receiving 16 votes in a roll-call election with two members absent.

Chagnon, who pledged to practice “servant leadership,” said he would prioritize protecting county taxpayers from state and federal cost shifts and expanding partnerships for economic development, housing and infrastructure. “I am honored and humbled to continue in the position of chairman of the Chautauqua County legislature,” he said.

The Legislature also adopted a series of routine organizational resolutions. By roll call the body appointed the clerk and secretary to the legislature (each adopted with 17 yes votes and two members absent) and designated official newspapers for 2026; the Post Journal was designated as the Republican newspaper and the Observer as the Democratic newspaper for publishing concurrent resolutions, election notices and official canvass as indicated in the motions.

Leadership designations announced included Legislator Jamie Gustafson as majority leader and Robert Bankowski as minority leader; assistant leaders named in the motions included Lisa Bienstrom (assistant majority leader) and Thomas Nelson (assistant minority leader).

The Legislature considered and adopted Resolution 3-26 to confirm Ned Barone as public defender. During discussion, a legislator offered strong personal praise for Barone’s longtime service to the county, calling him “an amazing attorney” and noting bipartisan support. Legislator Penhallow moved to amend the confirmation to make the appointment a two-year term rather than the one-year term in the resolution; Legislator Larson seconded the amendment. The amendment failed on a roll-call vote, 4 yes, 13 no, with two members absent. The underlying confirmation then passed by roll call (17 yes, 2 absent).

The body also voted to delegate authority to the chairman to correct errors on tax rolls and to provide refunds and credits under the cited provisions of the Real Property Tax Law; that delegation passed on voice vote. A motion to adjourn was made by Legislator Anthony, seconded by Legislator Larson, and the meeting was adjourned after an affirmative voice vote.

A short public-comment period (privilege of the floor) was opened twice; no members of the public addressed the Legislature during either period. Legislators made brief announcements, including a fundraising event for Chautauqua County 4‑H scheduled Feb. 22 at the Celoron Harbor Hotel.

The meeting established organizational leadership and administrative authority for the calendar year and concluded without further substantive policy debate. The Legislature will proceed to its regular calendar under the newly elected chairman.