There's a $7 million question on the table, but county lawmakers aren't talking about it.
Not during a public meeting this morning, at least.
The county late last year agreed to pay $7 million to settle a lawsuit over a near-drowning that left a woman severely brain damaged.
At issue now is how the county should pay for it. County Executive Mark C. Poloncarz, a Democrat, has proposed borrowing the money through a five-year judgement bond. Some Republicans in the Legislature want the county to pay cash for at least a portion of the payment to save on interest costs.
That's where discussions stalled. Poloncarz needs eight votes to approve a bond resolution. Democrats make up six of the 11-member Legislature. Without at least two legislators from the Republican-led minority caucus, the item can't get passed.
The issue provoked a lengthy discussion during a Finance and Management Committee meeting late last month. But this morning, when the committee met again, there was still no solution. This time, however, there was no discussion.
Legislator Timothy Hogues, D-Buffalo, who chairs the finance committee, kept the item on the table.
Why was it skipped over?
"We still haven't come to a resolution on that," Hogues said after the meeting.
The settlement payment is due in March.
--Denise Jewell Gee
tagged
Erie County executive | Erie County Legislature
