Chautauqua County has a 2024 budget in place after the legislature approved the just over $294 million spending plan by a 15-4 party line vote during Wednesday night's monthly meeting in Mayville. The budget includes a slight tax levy increase, but also cuts the tax rate by 89 cents per thousand full value. Democrats tried to amend the budget twice, once by moving an additional $1 million from the undesignated fund balance to offset taxes. However, Sheridan Republican Terry Niebel cautioned they've already incurred some additional costs...
Terry Niebel: already incurred costs
That amendment was defeated, along with one to eliminate the relatively new Media Information Officer position. Audit and Control Committee Chairman Dan Pavlock says he's been impressed with the work of Justin Gould and noted the role he's going to play in helping fill many vacant positions...
Dan Pavlock: Gould has been helpful
Democrats contended that the position is really not needed, and eliminating it would save nearly $100,000 in the 2024 budget. One person spoke briefly during the budget hearing, noting they were pleased to see the tax rate cut to $6.91 per thousand.
