After the vote, Jamestown Mayor Sam Teresi has decided to withhold his comment until after his meeting with Dunkirk Mayor Richard Frey, County Executive Greg Edwards and other city officials to work on solutions for the conflict.



Many lawmakers have expressed their desire to retain the agreement between the county and the two cities. Some are hoping that the issue would be resolved before the end of this month to allow municipal officials in both cities to coordinate and work with the Chautauqua County to settle the disagreement.

Audit and Control Committee Chairman Chuck Nazzaro expressed his disappointment that the issue will reach the legislature and that there was lack of discussion over the subject outside of the Administrative Services Committee.

Nazzaro believed that both Dunkirk and Jamestown should not be expected to pay the $3.5 million they owe Chautauqua County under the terms agreed upon in 1996. He pointed out that it is not clear which side is at fault over the issue.

The 1996 tax repo home agreement stated that Chautauqua County repays Dunkirk and Jamestown for property tax dues. In exchange, the county will assume full responsibility for the foreclosure process in both cities, including repossessing delinquent properties and reselling them at foreclosure auctions to recoup losses.

Out of the 25 legislators who will vote on the issue, 13 are needed to revoke the agreement. Meanwhile, Chautauqua County Executive Candidate Chuck Cornell has praised the new position of County Executive Greg Edwards on the tax repo home agreement.

Cornel called for the establishment of a standard, property tax foreclosures system in the county to promote economic growth in the area. He criticized the county for pressuring the two cities to pay the disputed amount, calling the action divisive.

He said that Edwards? turnaround over the issue creates a significant opportunity for the county and two cities to create a job generating system. Additionally, Cornell pointed out that establishing a standard tax repo home system would create equal opportunity in all county municipalities and ensure economic growth in the region.