Erie County Legislator Chris Greene and the Erie County Legislature’s Republican Caucus are standing up for taxpayers after holding firm on their position to reject borrowing the $56 million that the Erie County Executive requested in his bond resolution put forth earlier this month. This stance by Republican lawmakers forced negotiations that resulted in a huge savings for Erie County residents.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz put forth a bond resolution three weeks ago without first discussing his spending plan with lawmakers, and knowing the measure did not have support of all the members. Republican legislators pushed back on the borrowing plan, especially when there was a 2023 budget surplus expected to be at least $31 million. That surplus is now expected to be $33.9 million. By holding firm, the legislators were able to save taxpayers millions of dollars without compromising any projects. By forcing the County Executive’s hand Republican lawmakers managed to increase the fund balance, or “rainy day fund,” pay for more projects in cash using 2023 surplus, and reduce borrowing by $15.2 million. The Administration waited until the day of the vote to meet with the Republican Caucus.
“We had requested a meeting with the Administration to discuss our concerns about putting more on the county credit card, particularly when it was unnecessary. There are projects Erie County borrowed money for years ago that have yet to be completed,” said Legislator Greene. “Taxpayers are footing the bill for all the interest on that borrowed money. It’s too bad it took until the day we were scheduled to vote on the borrowing that the County Executive finally decided to meet with us. In the end we were able to negotiate an agreement that respects taxpayers.”
The agreement secures funding for upgrades at the volunteer fire training facility. Lawmakers also negotiated for more money to be allocated to the storm fund, ensuring proper investments are made in case of weather emergencies.
Republican legislators knew that the Administration’s claims that projects would not be completed if lawmakers didn’t pass the original bond resolution were unfounded. No project was sacrificed as a result of this agreement. There is $15.2 million now designated in pay-as-you-go for several capital projects in 2024.
Over the past three years, Republican legislators have been able to hold firm on the County Executive’s spending requests, ultimately saving taxpayers more than $88 million in interest payments. The agreement they were able to negotiate passed unanimously Thursday, March 21 in the Erie County Legislature.
