OBSERVER Photo by Gregory Bacon Chautauqua County officials have agreed to spend an additional $78,855 to convert the former Family Health Medical Services into an office to house the county Law Department and the attorneys for Social Services.

By GREGORY BACON

gbacon@observertoday.com

MAYVILLE – Chautauqua County’s planned relocation of its law office is going to cost more than originally anticipated.

During the recent county legislature meeting, lawmakers approved a resolution to spend an additional $78,855 for build out costs for the county Law Department to move to 95 E. Chautauqua St., Mayville.

They originally budgeted around $125,000 for the move.

The money will be coming out of the county’s unassigned fund balance.

In March, the legislature approved the Law Department’s relocation about a half mile from the county’s complex in Mayville.

The building on East Chautauqua Street is the former Family Health Medical Services, where Dr. Robert Burke had operated out of in the past.

During a committee meeting before the vote, County Attorney Ana Morgan said they needed the funds to equip the building, including things like furniture, security features, and add windows.

“The building was an old doctor’s office and we needed to put in some walls. We created a lot more offices. Only then when this was done we started looking for furniture that, unfortunately, for this building needs to be custom made because some spaces are very tight and some spaces are very small,” she said.

Morgan added that while security pads are being upgraded with the additional funds, they’re still waiting on the costs for security cameras.

She said in order to save money, they eliminated a conference room and some other equipment not needed.

Along with the county Law Office, the attorneys from the Department of Social Services will be relocating there as well.

Morgan said there will be a total of 22 offices in the building.

Morgan noted that originally the law department was scheduled to move in near the beginning of the year, but since they haven’t, they have saved on rent.

The resolution to spend the additional $78,855 was approved unanimously.