County lawmakers pass local law changing workers comp costs

Chautauqua County lawmakers approved a local law that changes the formula the county uses in determining workers compensation costs for local governments. The measure passed 16-3 during Wednesday evening's monthly meeting. The move is expected to save the county up to $700,000 a year beginning in 2023. Sheridan Republican Terry Niebel thanked the County's finance team for their hard work on the matter...

Niebel-Thanked County finance team

But there was an effort to amend the local law because it would increase workers comp costs for the cities of Dunkirk and Jamestown, and the village of Westfield. While agreeing the change needs to be made, Jamestown Republican David Wilfong felt increasing Jamestown's cost by $157,000 in one year was too much...

Wilfong-Jamestown increase too much in one year

The plan also raises Dunkirk's cost by $86,000 and Westfield's cost by $7,700. Democratic Minority Leader Bob Bankoski of Dunkirk proposed an amendment to phase-in the increases over two years...then a tabling of the measure. However, both attempts were defeated by lawmakers.

Photo by Chautauqua County Government's Facebook page