There aren’t enough contested races countywide to change control of the Chautauqua County Legislature. But Jamestown voters can vote on Tuesday to change the way the legislature relates to its two biggest cities. It’s a change that, in our opinion, is much needed.

We noted a couple of weeks ago that Mayor Kim Ecklund needed to take a page out of former Republican County Executive Vince Horrigan’s playbook by finding a revenue boost to stabilize the city budget while putting together a growth formula. Horrigan looked to New York state to increase the county’s sales tax. Ecklund, back in March, did as we suggested and asked the Chautauqua County Legislature for an adjustment to the distribution of the additional 1% of sales tax to the cities, towns and villages in the county.

It’s hard to argue that the county is in dire financial straits with a $35 to $40 million fund balance. It could divert a greater portion of its sales tax to local governments – in particular Jamestown, Dunkirk and Fredonia – without creating a financial panic in the Gerace Office Building in Mayville.

The answer to Ecklund’s request was a resounding no. Legislators stayed in their silo, padding the county’s fund balance rather than sharing the county’s wealth.

To their credit, both Fred Larson, D-Jamestown, and Vince DeJoy, who wasn’t a sitting legislator but is running for election in District 9 in Jamestown in Tuesday’s election, both advocated for the cities receiving more in sales tax revenue. Quiet during that debate in March were incumbents Phil Landy and Jamie Gustafson. Speaking in favor of the status quo was Republican Tamara Dickey.

Rather than endorse in these races, we ask city residents to consider which of the 10 candidates for the Chautauqua County Legislature will do what is best for their neighbors and constituents if they are elected on Tuesday. Landy, Dickey and Gustafson didn’t help you. Larson, DeJoy and Nelson spoke on your behalf. As for Jeff Russell, we can only say that he hasn’t been beholden to the city’s Republican leadership during his time on the City Council – a trait that could serve in his favor in Mayville if elected. Too many Republicans in the legislature toe the party line. We hope Russell won’t fall in line if he’s elected. In our view, the race between Russell and Larson is one of the most interesting to watch on Tuesday. We aren’t endorsing, but it’ll be interesting to see how it shakes out.

If Jamestown, Dunkirk and Fredonia are going to reinvent themselves financially, they will need the help of the county and the state. Ecklund is pushing for a continuation of additional state aid that was received in 2024-25 and 2025-26, but it’s uncertain the city will receive that money. So while we’ve spent a lot of space today talking about the sales tax, the logic can extend to a multitude of issues: police coverage, EMS coverage and tax assessing, to name a few,

As Jamestown homeowners brace for a tax increase again this year, ask yourself these questions as you step into the ballot box on Nov. 4: which of these two candidates will help fight for a decrease in both my city and county tax bill rather than just my county tax bill?

Then vote accordingly.