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MAYVILLE - A proposal by a Democratic Chautauqua County Legislator to ask the county executive to use $2 million of reserves when preparing the 2026 budget was rejected, although some Republicans say it's time to spend down at least some of that fund balance.
Legislator Fred Larson of Jamestown prefiled a resolution that noted the county's unappropriated fund balance is over $30 million which is "well above the agreed upon minimum of 5% of the county budget or approximately $16 million."
The resolution notes that with gasoline costs at more than $4 a gallon, the high cost of groceries, and high inflation "the 2027 Chautauqua County budget can afford to give our taxpayers a reduction of $2 million in the 2027 Property Tax Levy, making it more affordable to live in Chautauqua County."
The resolution was not reviewed ahead of time by any county committee. It was the only resolution of the 17 that came before the legislature that was not prefiled ahead of time.
In 2023, when Larson was not on the county legislature, the Democrats had proposed using $1 million of reserves during the budget vote.
In both 2024 and 2025, the legislature's Democratic Caucus proposed using $2 million of fund balance before the budget adoption.
On Wednesday, Larson said he was bringing the proposal to use $2 million of reserves now because in September, County Executive PJ Wendel is expected to present his 2027 budget. "The charter still suggests that the legislature provide by resolution goals and objectives for the upcoming budget and to provide them to the county executive prior to his submitting a tentative budget," he said, referring to the document that governs how the county legislature should operate.
Larson argued that this resolution was the legislature's only opportunity to express its view.
The legislature does review each department's budget, but only after Wendel presents the budget, including the proposed tax rate.
In the past, all Republicans have joined together blocking any additional spend down of the reserves.
Last week, Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, said during a committee meeting that he felt the reserves could be essentially cut in half and "return that money to the taxpayers." His comments were published in a front page article in The Post-Journal and OBSERVER.
"I was pleased to read that," Larson said, referring to Johnson's comments. "To give this legislature its one and only chance to express its desire for something to be included in the county executive's tentative budget to be presented to us at next month's meeting, I have offered this resolution."
But some Republicans were not convinced of the need to approve the resolution.
Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, said he wouldn't support it. "I'll be voting against it. Actually I'm reluctant to limit the cut to $2 million. How we get there needs to be discussed," he said.
Legislator Jamie Gustafson, R-Lakewood, agreed. "I think this legislature can do better than $2 million," she said.
Johnson said the spend down should be much more aggressive. "My number is $10 (million) or $15 million, not $2 (million)," he said.
Legislator Bob Whitney, D-Jamestown, proposed modifying Larson's resolution from $2 million to $3 million, but his proposal was rejected. The only Republican who voted in favor of it was John Penhollow of Stockton.
When the time came to vote for the $2 million reduction, again, Penhollow was the only Republican to vote yes, joining Democratic legislators Larson, Whitney, Tom Nelson of Jamestown, Bob Bankoski of Dunkirk, Marcus Buchanan of Dunkirk, and Sandra Lewis of Fredonia. Along with Scudder, Johnson, and Gustafson, voting no were Republican legislators Thomas Harmon of Silver Creek, Dan Pavlock of Ellington, Lisa Vanstrom of West Ellicott, Dalton Anthony of Frewsburg, Travis Heiser of Clymer, Marty Proctor of Mina, and Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon of Ellery. Legislator Jason Merritt, R-Sheridan, was absent.
Bankoski is one the Democratic legislators who has in the past called for more fund balance to be used. During Wednesday's meeting he said he was "excited" to see how much will be cut in the future. "We're going to take more than $2 million, so I'm excited! Let's rock it! I'm loving it," he said as he banged his hands on the table, causing other legislators to laugh.
After the meeting, County Executive PJ Wendel, who was at the meeting, was asked for his reaction to the comments shared.
"It's disappointing that people think we don't consider this every year. This is the seventh year I'll be presenting the budget. We've used fund balance every year. Last year it was in the neighborhood of $7 million," Wendel said. "This is no more than a political stunt every year by the other side stating that we're not using enough fund balance."
Wendel said the last time a Democrat was the county executive, the fund balance was down to $400,000, brought up to $13 million, and spent down to $250,000. "I will not do that. I need to make sure that we have money in that budget in the fund balance," he said, adding that he has the documents to prove his point.
While the budget presentation is still a month away, Wendel said he believes people will be "shocked" when they see the future spending plan. "We've been working really hard. I can say that it’s a very tight budget. It has been for several years. Since I've been in office, they (departments) have been asked to cut, cut and cut. After this, the question is going to be 'what services do we want to cut,'" he said.