New York state wants municipalities to work together. Chautauqua County Executive Vince Horrigan wants that same team spirit.

To that end, the county is willing to give Dunkirk $40,000 from its bed tax fund to help with its wall that is falling behind the water treatment plant. But – a very big but – there needs to be strings attached.

Big strings.

Last year, the county let Forestville’s years of mismanagement off the hook by bailing out the village with a loan. Since that $150,000 gift, the village has doubled its tax rate and earned the distinction of having the smelliest water in the region while dragging its feet through a dissolution process.

What will the city do for the county in exchange for the money? How about signing off on being a part of the north county water district.

If the city agrees to be the lead supplier – and signs all documentation, then give them the $40,000. If it balks, allow the city to go on its own to figure out the mess.

Just bailing Dunkirk out, as was the case with Forestville, benefits nobody. We need regional efforts.

Bed-tax money for the city project is a regional effort. Dunkirk needs to return the favor on the water district before that county money gets released.