Chautauqua County is removing a dilapidated business building in the western end of the county from the tax rolls.

During the county legislature meeting, officials voted to cancel taxes going forward against 4 West Main St., Ripley. The owner is listed as Michael Seivert and is listed as owing $74,427.

No comments were made during the legislature meeting. During a committee meeting the week before, First Real Property Tax Deputy Director Todd Button said the property is formerly known as the Ripley Hotel.

“It is a condemned building and is serving no current function,” he said.

Button said the county foreclosed on it in 2011 and tried to sell it but failed. The county decided against taking possession of the property due to its poor condition.

Button said what makes the matter complex is it shares a wall with the former Ripley hardware store, which is owned by a different person.

He said the county Land Bank has discussed looking into getting an engineering study done to see what the best options are but isn’t sure how soon that will take place.

By removing the building as a taxable property, Button said the county won’t have to pay the town of Ripley or the school district property taxes to make up for the owner not paying the taxes.

The proposal was unanimously approved.

In other business:

– Chautauqua County owns a 40-acre parcel of land in Ellery, and some parcels in Ripley that are designated as reforestation lands. Following a recommendation by the county Parks Commission, the legislature voted to discontinue the use of reforestation lands in Ellery and Ripley and designate a 41-acre parcel in Arkwright for park land use. The Ellery and Ripley land will be sold. Legislator Bob Bankoski, D-Dunkirk voted no after there were questions on the wording of the resolution. Bankoski proposed sending the resolution back to committee.

– The legislature agreed to posting the salary of elected county officials on its website on an annual basis, updating it in the fall.

– The legislature agreed to use $200,000 from the county’s reserve fund balance for occupancy tax for the National Comedy Center. The comedy center plans on using the money to market the center in Cleveland and Pittsburgh markets. The money is generated from a tax on hotels, motels and short-term rentals.

– The legislature agreed to apply for federal and state funds to rehabilitate Runway 13-31 at the Jamestown airport. The project is expected to cost around $6 million and the county would be responsible for around $150,000. Legislator Bob Scudder, R-Fredonia, voted no.

– The legislature agreed to apply for federal and state funds to purchase snow removal equipment at the Jamestown airport. The equipment will cost around $1 million and the county would be responsible for about $26,000. Scudder voted no.

– Chris McKinley of Kennedy was appointed to the county Emergency Medical Services Council.

– Keith Bean of Kennedy was appointed to the county Fire Board Advisory.

– Kirsten Morales of Falconer was appointed to the county Youth Board. Kathleen Geise of Fredonia and Kayleah Feser of Fredonia were reappointed.