Before tonight’s final gathering of the year of the Chautauqua County Legislature, it is important to note how willingly this group of elected officials spends taxpayer dollars. One of the most significant examples in 2023 came with the approval of two contracts.

In July, lawmakers unanimously passed a CSEA agreement that called for a 3% increase in 2024, and 2025, and a 3.5% increase in 2026 and 2027. The deal also offered a $1,000 bonus in 2024, 2025, 2026 and 2027, paid out in two separate installments each year. The bonuses for 2025-2027 are contingent upon the inflation index. If inflation is lower than 2% the bonuses will not be awarded.

That same meeting, the CCSEA’s contract, with wage increases of 3.5% for 2024, 2025, 2026, and 2027, was supported without dissent. Their contract has bonuses as well, which will be $1,500, paid in two equal installments each year, from 2024-2027. The resolution does not say the bonuses will be eliminated if the inflation rate is lower than 2%, like CSEA’s would be.

Money does not flow as freely in the city of Dunkirk. Earlier this month, council and the mayor approved an agreement with its police union that includes no pay raises in the first two years of the deal, but a $200 signing bonus. In year three, the raise is 1% and year four is 2%.

Who’s doing a better job of looking out for taxpayers? In this example, it is not the 19 lawmakers who oversee a $294 million budget for 2024 that, by some indications, is not as rosy as it has been painted to be.

County lawmakers have a habit of complaining about state mandates. But for more than 800 employees, this contract was locally negotiated. Albany has nothing to do with the spending spree.

July’s actions prove that even when it’s not Christmas, county lawmakers appear – far too often – in a giving spirit.