OBSERVER Photo by Eric Tichy Potential applicants for jobs in law enforcement remain at low levels in Western New York.

Police Chief Tim Jackson’s suggestion to Jamestown elected officials earlier this fall signaled a bit of desperation. In order to lure more officers to his short-handed department, a potential sweetener for newcomers was floated.

“We’re offering a $10,000 bonus to those who are already a sworn officer and will transfer over to JPD,” he said at a September Public Safety Committee meeting in the south county city. “This bonus will be paid directly to the new officer. However, the stipulation is they must serve with JPD for five years, and if they leave early or quit before five years the officer will be required to pay back the bonus. And they must be a currently certified New York state police officer.”

Jackson’s offer is proof positive there remains a workforce crisis in Chautauqua County. It is impacting both the private and public sector.

Ironically, the overabundance that includes 18 school districts and 43 municpal entities is what is creating both. For years, this county – despite recent toutings of rate decreases – had some of the greatest property tax burdens in the nation.

No matter what you hear from local politicians – whether it be in the schools or municipalities – it is not getting better. The highly touted state tax cap still promotes more being taken from residents’ pockets. Government leaders are happy to oblige.

As a department head, Jackson can worry only about his department and seeing to it that the day-to-day operations are maintained on a 24-7 basis. There are no holidays or weekends in policing.

His solution that includes a $10,000 carrot for potential new hires could help his force while possibly taking a toll on the others throughout the county. Through this configuration, municipalities that could be working together as partners ultimately become rivals.

It is a competition for survival that can come at a high cost that just does not involve area Police Departments. As recent articles have noted, public-sector pay raises are becoming a necessity across the board to keep those workers.

How serious is the situation? Arkwright, which has a population of 1,100 residents as one of the smallest county entities, was far too comfortable in handing out pay increases to its employees. In finalizing a budget, more money was given out to nearly every position – including to those who are elected.

Its spending situation is still being buoyed by the wind turbines that dominate the landscape near state Thruway Exit 59. Revenues from those towers are still generating funds for the government and a number of residents who have the items on their property.

If the smallest of municipalities are upping the ante, larger locations are facing a greater reckoning with their payrolls. This becomes a losing equation for those who remain since the county population has decreased from 147,000 in the early 1980s to 126,000 currently – a 14.2% decline. Only one other county in Western New York has lost more residents in that same duration. Allegany County has dropped 15.2% to 67,700 during that 40 years.

There are, however, some bright spots. Jeffrey Feinen, who oversees the town of Sheridan Highway Department, also works with the town of Dunkirk. In this case, bordering municipalities saw the benefit of one leader for two towns with a total population of around 3,500 residents. Brocton and Portland, with a combined population of 5,500, have taken on the same model.

What’s important in these examples is in the meetings our newspaper attends. There is a lot of support for the combined staff and very little criticism. It is a model that could work just about everywhere in this shrinking county.

But there has to be leadership on the issue.

Previous Chautauqua County Executives Vince Horrigan and George Borrello, who now serves as state senator for our region, were on the front lines for these initiatives in the past. Horrigan was one to spearhead the creation of the North County Water District.

Borrello worked on consolidation efforts in the town of Hanover after the dissolution of the village of Forestville. In addition, he helped put together an efficiency plan that included sharing efforts between towns, villages and school districts. It was in the running to bring in $20 million in funding from New York state before being edged out by a Long Island proposal.

Since then, however, there has been little action and a lot of silence.

Chautauqua County’s last plan for government efficiencies, unveiled in 2022, totaled a savings of $500,000. From a government that will be spending $295 million next year, that is a pitiful effort. It is even more insulting when you consider the same entity brags about spending $800,000 to pretty up CARTS – excuse me, CHQ Transit – buses that will always be a drain on resources.

Jackson’s department in Jamestown is in need of more manpower – as are numerous other municipal providers. Do we continue a model that promotes bonuses to poach workers from one department to better another or do we look to a solution that has community partnerships?

This problematic issue requires a call for some guidance and collaboration from the top. It’s not as easy – or flashy – as redesigning county buses. But it is necessary.

John D’Agostino is editor of The Post-Journal, OBSERVER and Times Observer in Warren, Pa. Send comments to jdagostino@observertoday.com or call 716-487-1111, ext. 253.