MAYVILLE – A final vote to keep the sales tax in the county at 8% was approved, with Democratic lawmakers continuing their opposition.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, lawmakers voted 14-4 to have a sales tax rate at 8%.

This is the third time this year the legislature has had to vote on similar legislation. The two earlier votes were required in requesting the state legislature keep the sales tax rate at 8%. This final vote officially accepts the 8% sales tax rate.

Democratic Legislators Tom Nelson and Fred Larson of Jamestown, and Bob Bankoski and Marcus Buchanan of Dunkirk, all voted no.

Earlier in the year, Democrats wanted to either give more money to local municipalities and/or lower the sales tax rate to 7.75%.

Larson vowed to continue to seek to lower the sales tax. “I make a pledge that if the good people on the north side of Jamestown send me back here for two more years, on the next two-year extension of the sales tax I’ll again make an effort to reduce it to seven and three quarters and to give some greater percentage to our towns, villages and cities,” he said.

The 8% sales tax will remain in place until Nov. 30, 2027, at which time county officials will have to decide if they desire to seek any changes.

In other business:

– The legislature approved using $2,385,000 in its undesignated reserves for safety net costs.

– The legislature agreed to increase both expenses and revenue projections for the Fly Car program by $250,000.

– The legislature set the salary for the Digital Forensic Investigator at $36.53 to $48.70 per hour.

– The legislature approved an agreement with the Federal Aviation Administration to lease space at the terminal building in Jamestown and an antenna for $5,000 annually.

– Chag Bongiovanni of Fredonia, Tom Carle of Fredonia, Brittany Cerrie-Allen of Dunkirk and William Pekrul of Cherry Creek were appointed to the Chautauqua Opportunities Board of Directors.

– William Ortman of Stow was reappointed to the South & Center Chautauqua Lake Sewer Districts Board.

– Dr. Elizabeth Kidder of Ashville was reappointed to the county Board of Health.