Chautauqua County in 'Very Solid' Budgetary Shape Through June, According to Wendel

Chautauqua County's top elected official says the county in a "very solid" position -- budgetarily -- through the first half of 2026. However, County Executive P.J. Wendel says there are a couple of concerns. One was recently dealt with when the county's Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services again crunched its Safety Net numbers and found that it didn't have to take $2.8 million out of the county's fund balance to cover additional costs...

P.J. Wendel: numbers were trending down

Wendel says unfunded mandates from Albany remain an issue, with more than 61% of the local tax share needed to cover those. The Lakewood Republican also railed against New York's welfare system and costs...

P.J. Wendel: why does New York State pay the most

County leaders recently found fraud in its own system, with a former Social Services clerk from Jamestown indicted on 20 charges for allegedly stealing from current benefit recipients. Wendel needs to present his 2027 budget proposal to the county legislature by September 25th.