Prices at Chautauqua County gas stations decreased five cents in the last week.

When it comes to inflated gasoline prices in both Chautauqua and Warren counties, officials admit to having no answers.

Six months after calling on state and federal law enforcement to investigate the persistently higher prices, Chautauqua County Executive PJ Wendel says he remains committed to advocating for residents.

Despite having a lower sales tax on gasoline than neighboring Erie County, Chautauqua County residents pay more at the pump than those in surrounding New York state regions. In October, Wendel noted that in Erie County, the gas tax is 4.75% while in Chautauqua County the gas tax is 4%.

Wendel said he has repeatedly reached out to New York state Attorney General Letitia James and to both current and former U.S. Attorneys for the Western District of New York, requesting a review of motor fuel pricing in the County.

While the Attorney General’s Office has indicated that, in their view, no illegal activity is occurring and will not pursue an investigation, the county has yet to receive a response from the U.S. Attorney’s Office.

“Chautauqua County families, small businesses, and commuters are paying more at the pump than their neighbors,” Wendel said. “I pump gas just like everyone else, and this is an issue that continues to impact the cost of living in our community. We are not giving up.”

While efforts continue to seek better answers, Wendel encourages residents to compare prices, seek the lowest-cost stations, and use tools like GasBuddy (www.gasbuddy.com). Making informed choices helps create competitive pressure that can encourage lower prices throughout the region.

County pump prices at the moment are fluctuating between $3.36 in Jamestown and Fredonia to $2.99 in Westfield and Ripley.

Wendel first raised concerns in June, citing AAA data showing Chautauqua County’s gasoline prices significantly above the state and national averages.

In October, Wendel said he also spoke with representatives of United Refinery in Warren, thinking that the majority of the fuel used in the county comes from there. “That is not the case. About 25% of our gasoline comes from United Refinery, which my guess is probably the Kwik Fills and Red Apple stores that are directly related,” he said.

Warren County also has pain from the pumps. Despite having a refinery within the city limits, its prices were by far the highest in this week’s AAA report that noted costs are six cents lower in Western Pennsylvania this week at $3.095 per gallon, according to AAA East Central’s Gas Price Report.

However, at that time, the cost for Warren County motorists was a whopping $3.55 per gallon. That was 15 cents more than Bradford and 34 cents more than Erie.

Warren prices were closer to $3.50 and $3.42 as of Friday morning.