Chautauqua County Democratic Chairperson Marcia Westling Johnson criticized the county legislature for not voting on a proposal to reduce property taxes for seniors. The legislation will be instead reviewed in committee.

A proposal by two Chautauqua County Democratic leaders to reduce taxes and spend down the county’s reserves is going to be reviewed in committee.

During the county legislature meeting Wednesday, county lawmakers voted 11-7 to send the resolution entitled “Affordability Act of 2026” and a resolution entitled “Amend Senior Property Tax Exemption” to various legislative committees.

Typically any legislation introduced by county lawmakers or the county executive is reviewed by one or more of the legislature’s six committees before a vote is taken. An elected official can sponsor legislation without review, but generally that only happens for emergency purposes.

“This is not an emergency resolution and the impact on the county taxpayers should be well thought out before any action is taken on this,” Legislator Jamie Gustafson, R-Lakewood, said before making a motion to send it to committee.

During the discussion by county lawmakers, Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield agreed. “I think it’s important as a matter of principle that this kind of thing go through committee in the first place,” he said.

There are 12 Republicans and seven Democrats on the county legislature. The 11-7 vote was along party lines, with Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, absent.

Following that vote, the resolution “Amend Senior Property Tax Exemption” was also sent to committee with the same results.

Some key elements of the two resolutions include:

– Use $2 million of the county reserves to lower property taxes in 2027;

– Reduce the county sales tax rate from 8% to 7.75%;

– Increase the senior citizen partial property tax exemption income eligibility from $30,000 annually to $38,000 annually.

It was introduced by Legislators Bob Bankoski, R-Dunkirk and Tom Nelson, R-Jamestown.

At the end of the meeting, Marcia Westling Johnson, who is the county Democratic Committee chairperson, criticized the move to have the legislation go to committee before being voted on. “They (Bankoski and Nelson) are trying to save senior citizens tax money when there’s a $35 million fund that can help cover it. This body does not want to help seniors who are overwhelmed by the inflation of our present economy,” she said.