Committee carries appointments, property transfers, tax‑lien cancellations and a budget amendment

The Chautauqua County Administrative Services Committee carried a series of routine resolutions Wednesday, including an appointment to the county Ethics Board, cancellation of two uncollectible tax liens, an amendment to the quitclaim‑deed dispositions from a foreclosure auction, transfer of multiple foreclosed parcels to the City of Jamestown, and a budget amendment to reconcile assigned‑counsel expenses for 2025.

Dr. James Sman of the county executive’s office introduced a resolution to confirm Neil Guber to the county Ethics Board after a board member resigned; staff said Angel Herbert, the county ethics‑board liaison, recommended Guber. The committee approved the appointment.

Todd Button, first deputy director of finance, presented several property‑related items. He recommended cancelling taxes on two parcels in the Town of Hanover after staff determined the parcels had been purchased in 2019 by the Seneca Nation through Seneca Gaming Corporation after the taxable‑status date, making the parcels exempt. “The property should have been exempt going after that,” Button said, and the committee carried the cancellation.

On quitclaim deeds tied to the county’s 2025 foreclosure auction, Button asked the committee to withdraw the second deed on the list after learning the original owner had died and the county had not completed service on heirs; staff said the winning bidder on that lot had already been refunded. The committee approved an amendment to remove that parcel from the sale and to update totals cited by staff (staff referenced amended totals of $7,800 and taxes owing of $3,194).

Staff also presented a late resolution authorizing the transfer of roughly a dozen tax‑foreclosed parcels in the City of Jamestown to the city. Button said the properties—vacant lots and several residential buildings near the Riverwalk—had attracted squatters or were rented in substandard condition; the city paid interest, penalties and taxes and plans cleanup and redevelopment. Button said the county recovered its costs and the transfer leaves the county made whole.

Sam Zapoto, deputy director of finance, told the committee that the assigned‑counsel department exceeded its 2025 budget because hourly rates paid to appointed attorneys rose to $158 on April 1, 2023, producing over $1 million in vouchers in 2025. The committee carried a year‑end reconciliation amendment that used fund balance to cover the overrun; Zapoto said the 2026 budget was increased to $1,250,000 to reflect expected costs.

Emily Woodard and Nate Harp of the county law department gave a brief briefing on proposed administrative‑code changes already presented earlier at a separate public‑facilities committee meeting; committee members had no substantive questions during this session.

Votes at a glance

- Confirm Neil Guber to the Chautauqua County Ethics Board — carried (no individual tallies provided). - Cancel two uncollectible tax liens (Town of Hanover parcels purchased by the Seneca Nation) — carried. - Amend quitclaim‑deed resolution to withdraw one parcel and adjust totals — carried. - Authorize transfer of ~12 foreclosed properties to City of Jamestown — carried. - Amend 2025 assigned‑counsel budget (year‑end reconciliation) — carried.

Each measure was recorded as carried in committee; the transcript does not provide roll‑call vote counts. The committee adjourned after the items were completed.