MAYVILLE – A request for millions of more dollars for Chautauqua County’s Safety Net program is being put on hold.

During the legislature’s Human Services Committee meeting, it was announced that a resolution requesting $2.8 million be transferred from the county’s reserves to Mental Hygiene and Social Services has been withdrawn.

Deputy Director of Finance Dianna Songer said they were pulling the resolution.

“The case numbers have decreased so we’re finally seeing the numbers go down,” she said.

Songer said for now, they want to monitor the program further before seeking any additional money.

“Hopefully this is a trend and we’ll continue to see the numbers go down and maybe we won’t have to come before you and ask for a resolution with any luck,” she said.

In June, Blake Ihrig, the Director of Administrative Services with the county’s Finance Department, and Carmelo Hernandez, Commissioner of Mental Hygiene Social Services, said they were estimating the county’s Safety Net program was going to need another $4 million total for 2026. Part of that would come from the state and federal governments, but the county would still be required to cover the bulk of the cost, which is why they were seeking $2.8 million.

Safety Net Assistance, according to the county, is for individuals who are not eligible for other assistance programs. It is a state- and local-funded program for: Single adults; childless couples; children living with a caretaker other than a parent; families of persons abusing drugs or alcohol; families of persons refusing drug alcohol screening, assessment, or treatment; people who have exceeded the 60-month limit on assistance; and non-citizens who are eligible for temporary assistance, but who are not eligible for federal reimbursement.

For the 2026 budget, the county had budgeted $11 million for Safety Net, up $1 million from last year.

The main reason the legislature did not vote on the request last month was Legislator Fred Johnson, R-Westfield, said he wanted to see if cuts could be made to other departments instead of using the county’s fund balance.

He had requested the resolution be tabled for further discussion.

Because Social Services had requested the resolution be pulled, no discussion took place if the county should use its reserves to pay for Safety Net or if other departments should reduce spending.