We have no doubt that county department heads and County Executive Vince Horrigan do what they can to make sure county projects are finished within their allotted budget.

That doesn’t mean Pierre Chagnon, R-Bemus Point and new Audit and Control Committee chairman, is wrong when he talks about the Chautauqua County Legislature’s need to be updated when projects are costing more than anticipated. Chagnon last week voted against resolutions to increase accounts for three county projects as he shared his desire for departments to stay within budget constraints. Overruns on a completed apron reconstruction project at the Dunkirk Airport totaled $1,235 in local-share costs. The remaining expense for the $24,696 overrun will be paid by the Federal Aviation Administration and the state. A $4.5 million project to upgrade the HVAC system at the Mayville complex buildings and the Chautauqua County Jail went over budget by a total of $195,912 for unexpected asbestos abatement work and implementation of a new pump to reach required flows at the jail. The Department of Motor Vehicles relocation in Jamestown in August exceeded the budget by $15,000, with part of that overrun caused by movement of camera equipment by state officials.

Taxpayers should support Chagnon’s expectation that county departments operate within the budget and explore cost savings when needed to finish projects within their budget. Sometimes – as was the case with the asbestos abatement and new pump at the jail – the spending is unavoidable. But, legislators should be told about the issues before the money is already spent.

It is the legislative branch, after all, that controls the purse strings.