Legislator warns proposed Chautauqua County charter changes would weaken legislature
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Summary
A county legislator told the Public Safety Committee that Local Law Intro 126 (print 3), a proposed amendment to the Chautauqua County Charter, replaces mandatory duties with discretionary language and reduces independent legislative resources, potentially shrinking the legislature’s practical authority.
Local Law Intro 126 (print 3), a proposed amendment to the Chautauqua County Charter, was presented for discussion Feb. 18 to the Chautauqua County Public Safety Committee.
Legislator Larson told the committee the draft substitutes discretionary language for existing mandatory duties and removes provisions intended to give the legislature independent capacity. "The drafters of the current charter in 1998 foresaw a legislature that would be a serious policy-making body in County government," Larson said, and the proposed revisions "weaken an already weak county legislature in practice." He said the changes could eliminate an independent legislative attorney and reduce guaranteed legislative financial analysis.
Larson detailed how the 1998 charter expected the legislature to set annual policy goals and metrics by June; the proposed revision moves or softens that requirement. He argued the changes could leave legislators dependent on legal and financial advice provided through the county executive’s offices, noting an assistant county attorney who reports to the executive may be constrained in evaluating executive proposals.
The chair presented the draft for committee discussion only; no vote was taken on the local law at the meeting. Committee members asked questions and heard Larson’s concerns. The matter will remain in committee for further consideration; the transcript identifies the item as discussion-only at this session.
