It's been another busy month at the legislature, with crucial decisions impacting our county's future on the table.
Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz's push for a consolidated bond resolution, seeking to borrow $56 million for capital projects, is troubling. It's abundantly clear that Erie County possesses the financial capacity to invest in critical projects without needlessly burdening taxpayers with exorbitant interest payments. In just a couple of weeks, we'll know exactly how much the County will have in surplus. The notion of borrowing $56 million in the face of an impending surplus isn’t just irresponsible—it's indefensible.
Let's not overlook last year's fiasco, where a projected surplus of $18 million skyrocketed to an astonishing $96.4 million. According to the County Executive's own projections, the county expects a $31 million surplus at the close of books in just a couple of weeks. Recall at the end of March 2023, when the surplus was realized and $72 million was allocated to pet projects just a couple of weeks later in April. Mark Poloncarz threatens that voting no on the bond resolution will hold up roadwork; however, history shows that this claim is unfounded. Vermont Street, a $2.8 million project in my district was claimed to have been held up just last year for the same reason. The reality is there was no RFP out for bid, there was no project to be held up yet. The roadwork did not start until September, having no cause from the bond resolution.
The current resolution stands as a testament to recklessness, disregarding the financial wellbeing of our hardworking taxpayers.
In light of these concerns, I'm championing legislation aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in county government. One piece of legislation will mandate the creation of a searchable database by the Comptroller, detailing exactly how taxpayer dollars are spent. This initiative will empower residents to hold politicians accountable by providing easy access to information regarding county expenditures.
Additionally, I’m introducing legislation aimed at enhancing transparency and accountability in county government. This legislation targets various county boards and advisory committees, ensuring that taxpayers have unfettered access to the discussions held in these meetings. Boards such as the Ethics Board, the Stadium Oversight Task Force, the ECMC Board, the Erie County Industrial Development Agency, the SUNY Erie Board, the Consumer Protection Committee, and the Cultural Resources Advisory Board will be required to adhere to these transparency policies. Citizens deserve full visibility into these deliberations, and my legislation will guarantee just that.
Together, these legislative efforts underscore my unwavering commitment to transparency, accountability, and fiscal responsibility within Erie County government. It's imperative that we prioritize the needs and concerns of our constituents, and I'm dedicated to championing these initiatives on their behalf.
If you have a county-related issue or concern, please reach out to my office at 716-858-8922, or by email, Lindsay.Lorigo@erie.gov.
