It appears, unless a court intervenes, that New York City Mayor Eric Adams thinks he has found a way to move migrants out of New York City and into counties throughout the state whether there are states of emergencies in those counties or not.

In June Adams floated the idea of a “private residence” where the city would pay private home owners or business owners to house migrants. Those June talks, however, didn’t specify exactly where the private residence were.

We have a better idea now.

A Chautauqua County lodging owner says he has been contacted repeatedly by officials working on behalf of New York City to house migrants in a private transaction between the city and the lodging owner that city officials say doesn’t violate Chautauqua County’s emergency order preventing New York City from sending migrants to the county. That emergency order is one of 32 being argued in state Supreme Court.

But one would be foolish to assume that at least some business owners or private residences aren’t going to take New York City up on the offer despite the county’s emergency order. Money talks — and the city’s offer speaks loudly. It would also be foolish to assume the issues that have plagued emergency housing units in Chautauqua County won’t flare up if those same emergency housing providers accept migrants. We haven’t shown here a capacity to help the homeless or those transitioning from the criminal justice system back into society, so it’s hard to believe that the county won’t struggle to provide services to those who face a language barrier as well.

If hotel owners are being asked to enter into private contracts with New York City to house migrants, then Jamestown and Chautauqua County had better be ready.

If we don’t move quickly, then we will find ourselves in the same boat as New York City — one that is sinking after being torpedoed by another overburdened boat.