MAYVILLE - With more than $1.3 million to be generated by the county's two occupancy taxes, there is still some money available for distribution.
At the county's Planning and Economic Development Committee meeting, lawmakers discussed some issues that dealt with handing out more of the 2008 bed tax revenues.
One issue was with the county potentially giving $10,000 toward the Bemus-Stow Ferry from the $20,000 originally allocated to the Peek'n Peak Classic, which was canceled earlier this year. Without the event, no county funds were given to the resort.
The $10,000 will go as a 20 percent matching grant with federal funding to upgrade the ferry. The committee unanimously approved the proposal, which will now go before the full legislature July 23.
The committee also approved $20,000 from county bed tax revenues for a Chadakoin River cleanup. County Legislator Larry Barmore, R-Gerry, who proposed the resolution said the money would be used to clear the river way being blocked by several downed trees from the walking bridge in Falconer to the Levant canoe launch park in Ellicott.
Cornell said the group had a detailed explanation from Steve Abdella, county attorney, on what the committee can recommend to the County Legislature with what can be done with the housing trust fund.
''Steve Abdella explained the opportunities for a public-private housing trust fund,'' he said. ''There are some limitations as far as dollars and where we can put them.''
Cornell said the group is in the process of scheduling a second meeting and hopes the group can have a more indepth discussion on what can actually be done to get the money together to help revitalize county neighborhoods.
''I am hoping for more discussion on the comprehensive nature of what we (committee) can do to pull resources together to use in the most effective way,'' he said. ''I'm hoping to discuss what options we can have and what recommendations we can make (to the County Legislature).''
The committee is scheduled to report back to the legislature by Aug. 1 with a recommendation on how the housing trust fund would operate if the proposal is feasible.
Cornell said he is optimistic the committee will find a way to make the fund work and to set up the means for residents to fix their homes.
''I'm very optimistic to say that if we come up with a good recommendation that it will be implemented by the legislature,'' he said.
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