MAYVILLE – County leaders are once again dipping into its reserves to cover higher than expected expenses for those in emergency need, including providing temporary housing.

During the Chautauqua County Legislature meeting, lawmakers agreed to amend the 2025 budget for the Department of Mental Hygiene and Social Services.

The biggest deficit was for the safety net program, which had a $2 million shortfall for the year.

Department officials said they had a $700,00 surplus in other budget lines, which was used to offset the costs.

County lawmakers agreed to use $1.3 million from its reserves to cover the balance. There is a possibility more funds will be needed next month as they continue to close out the books for 2025.

Legislator Marty Proctor, R-Mina, discussed the safety net program during the meeting.

“It’s a mandated program. It’s a good program to help those less fortunate but it’s extremely hard to predict,” he said.

During the budget process for 2026, county officials added an additional $2.7 million to this year’s safety net budget.

In other business:

– Gary Hahn of Fredonia was appointed to the Airport Commission.

– Michael Metzger of the town of Chautauqua was appointed to the county Land Bank Board of Directors.

– Dorothy Lauricella of Cassadaga and Robert Scudder of Fredonia were reappointed to the Parks Commission.

– Robert Galbraith of Westfield was newly appointed to the county Fire Advisory Board. Reappointments included: James Tytka Jr of Sheridan, Anthony Muscarella of Silver Creek, Thomas Kolassa of Fredonia, Joshua Myers of Fredonia, Aaron Weiskerger of Silver Creek, James Odien of Dunkirk, Lisa Babcock of Ripley, Ryan Hardenburg of Mayville, Ward Raynor of Dewittville, Mark Smith of Ripley, David Walker of Westfield, Mark Zamborik of Lakewood, Matthew Stafford of Mayville, Nick Niles of Frewsburg, Andrew Caruso of Kennedy, Daniel Sisson of Frewsburg, Michael Zamborik of Ashville, David Bartkowiak of Jamestown, Ryan Delahoy of Falconer, Jay Mease of Bemus Point, Jeff Molnar of Bemus Point and Brenton Yager of Falconer.

– Desiree Barmore of Gerry, Marcia Kent of Falconer, Jared Meyer of Portland, and Joel Fischer of Sherman were new appointments to the county Emergency Medical Services Council. Reappointments included: Teresa Penhollow of Cassadaga, Deb Weaver of Jamestown, Jamison Justham of Ripley, Charlene Unger of Jamestown, Joshua Newark of Cassadaga, Mark Dickey of Ripley, Nicholas Carlson of Bemus Point, Alicia Elderkin of Kennedy, Kendrya Sheldon of Panama and Dan Imfeld of Lakewood.

– The county transferred 1061-71 Allen St., Jamestown to the Jamestown Urban Renewal Agency for future development for $1. JURA will be responsible for applicable real estate taxes and assessments commencing with the 2026 county/town taxes.

– The county set the salary for the position of Certified Peer Specialist at $28.58-$37.39 per hour.