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MAYVILLE — The Chautauqua County Legislature will consider two amendments to its 2 percent occupancy tax rules tonight — one to prohibit the purchase of property with bed tax money and another adjusting the details of how the watershed coordinator’s salary is funded. First proposed in September by Fred Croscut, R-Sherman, and Maria Kindberg, D-Jamestown, the amendments have already been before the legislature, but were forwarded back to the Planning and Economic Development Committee for review during the committee’s October meeting. According to Croscut, the committee, which met last week, decided to forward the amendments back to the full legislature with no changes. “One thing we want to make clear to the legislators is that we’re not entirely against purchasing property,” Croscut said of the one amendment. “We put it in there mainly because of the fact that everyone was so upset with the purchase of property by the state when they bought Midway Park. Now that’s not to say that in the future, if the a recommendation is ever made to purchase property, that we will not work jointly with a landowner on a conservation easement or the purchase of property to protect Chautauqua Lake, for example. “If someone comes to us and strongly makes that recommendation, then it will be up to the full legislature to approve it,” Croscut said. “We’re just making this amendment to show we really don’t want to see taxpayer money going for the purchase of property, to take property off the tax rolls.” In August, the legislature showed its disinterest in purchasing property with waterways bed tax money, even if the purchase of such property is beneficial to Chautauqua Lake. Charles Nazzaro, D-Jamestown, attempted to reinstate the purchase of land at Goose Creek back onto the list of 2010 waterways projects. His amendment was seconded by Rudy Mueller, D-Lakewood, but ultimately was defeated by a 17-7 margin. Also part of the amendment being proposed is a change to the details of the watershed coordinator’s salary. According to the 2 percent occupancy tax rules, the watershed coordinator’s salary, fringe benefits, travel and other expenses come from 15 percent of the 2 percent occupancy tax. According to Croscut, the salary is set at $82,500 at present and there is a fear that, with decreased revenues in 2010, 15 percent will not cover the full amount. The change will add language explaining that when the 15 percent of the 2 percent revenues is insufficient to cover those costs, additional revenues will be taken from the 2 percent occupancy tax to fund the shortfall. All funds not utilized annually will be returned to the reserve fund for lakes and streams. The Chautauqua County Legislature will meet tonight at 6:30 p.m.

 

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