Wendel wants probe on Dunkirk finances
Dunkirk leaders have asked for assistance from Chautauqua County regarding the city’s financial struggles, however County Executive PJ Wendel wants an investigation done on their finances before offering any help.
This week, the County Legislature will vote on a resolution requested by Wendel asking the state Attorney General’s office to investigate Dunkirk’s budget process and audit and applicable financial documents for the city from 2014 through 2024.
The resolution has already been unanimously approved by the legislature’s Audit and Control Committee.
Wendel told committee members that he, Legislature Chairman Pierre Chagnon and other elected leaders have had multiple meetings with city officials, seeking various assistance. “At the end of the day, we just need to make sure that if there’s any engagement from the county, we need to know exactly what has happened and how did they get into this position,” he said.
Dunkirk has an estimated $16 million deficit. “How does one get where you’re $16 million in debt? So that’s a question we have,” Wendel said.
Wendel did say the county has reached out to the state Comptroller’s Office but has yet to get a response.
The county first learned about Dunkirk’s fiscal crisis when it requested the county pay for some dock work at the Dunkirk marina back in March, saying it did not have the funds to make the payment.
Shortly after that, the state approved the Dunkirk Fiscal Recovery Act, which gave the city an $18.5 million bond to help them through this financial crisis.
Wendel said Dunkirk has asked the county to get a Revenue Anticipation Note on behalf of the city.
There has been talk of assisting in other ways as well. “They’re looking at several things involving street lights, roads, plowing, police, fire – those types of other services,” he said.
Wendel said more information is needed before the county can assist. “We haven’t seen anything so how can the county engage in assistance when we don’t even know where they are, where they’re going, what plan is there, those kinds of things,” he said.
There were no city officials at the Audit and Control Committee meeting. None of the legislators who represent Dunkirk are on the committee.
Legislator Terry Niebel, R-Sheridan, said he agrees that the county needs more information. “If they’re approaching us for assistance, we need to know how they got in the position that they have and this resolution will help do that,” he said.
The full legislature will vote on the resolution formally asking the state Attorney General’s Office to do an investigation at its full meeting on Wednesday.
Dunkirk officials have publicly blamed the deficit on the closure of the NRG plant. Current Mayor Kate Wdowiasz was elected mayor in November and was not a member of the city council before taking office Jan. 1.