As the Erie County Fair ends, signaling that summer is drawing to a close, I hope you’ve taken advantage of our county’s beautiful parks, beaches, and the many other amenities that make Western New York such a wonderful place to call home.
August marks a legislative recess for the Erie County Legislature, which has given me extra time to connect with various organizations that partner with the county. One of my stops was the Roycroft Campus, where I saw firsthand the rehabilitation projects funded by Erie County. I also visited the dedicated volunteers and board members of Friends of Knox Farm State Park, where we discussed exciting upcoming projects. Additionally, I toured local libraries, historical societies, Boys and Girls Clubs, and more. I am consistently impressed by the dedication of those who run these organizations. These groups not only bring tourism and cultural benefits to our region but also play a crucial role in enhancing our quality of life. Partnerships between Erie County and local organizations are vital to keeping our community vibrant and thriving.
When the legislative recess ends, we will immediately dive into the midyear budget hearings. These hearings, traditionally held in June or July, are more critical than ever given the current state of our county’s finances. While I am relieved that the decision to minimize midyear budget hearings has been reversed, we must recognize the importance of these discussions for the county’s financial health.
The American Rescue Plan provided Erie County with unprecedented funding during COVID, offering us a unique opportunity to invest in generational projects. Unfortunately, much of this funding was used to add recurring costs to the county budget. Under the leadership of Erie County Executive Mark Poloncarz, the county’s budget has doubled, ballooning to a staggering $2 billion. This growth has been accompanied by the addition of hundreds of jobs and services. While the county has enjoyed historic surpluses in recent years, with hundreds of millions of dollars in excess, those days appear to be coming to an end. Reports from the Erie County Budget Office and the County Controller paint a concerning picture, indicating that we could soon be facing financial challenges unlike any we’ve seen in a long time.
This situation is worsened by the ever-growing size of county government, a direct result of the current administration’s policies. The importance of these midyear budget hearings cannot be overstated. They provide a crucial opportunity for commissioners to report on the close of their budget years and to outline their plans for 2025.
As we return from recess, I look forward to representing your interests in these conversations. We owe it to you, the taxpayers, to gain a clear understanding of the county’s financial future. We cannot return to the difficult fiscal times of 20 years ago, the Erie County Legislature must act in a bipartisan fashion to control these costs.
If you have a county-related issue, contact my office at 716-858-8922 or by email at Lindsay.Lorigo@erie.gov.
Legislator Lorigo August 2024 Bee column
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