Ecklund proposes $47.3-million, 2027 Budget with 7.3% tax increase...
Jamestown Mayor Kim Ecklund has proposed a 2027 budget that increases taxes by 7.3%... and, includes no lay-offs.  Ecklund took the wraps off the tentative, $47.3-million spending plan Thursday afternoon at City Hall.  Even though grant funding is going away for 12 firefighters... Ecklund is proposing the city pick up that additional $1.5-million cost to keep services in place... and, is looking to offset costs by attrition, and additional ambulance revenues.  She adds that several other costs are also going up significantly.  Ecklund listed at least five... including state pension costs for Tier 6 employees.  She says those are going up by 47%.  Ecklund adds that both fuel and road salt costs are projected to be much higher in 2027.  However... the tax base has basically remained flat.  Ecklund's proposal increases the tax rate to $27.63 per $1,000 assessed value... a $1.87 per thousand increase.  She says the average home, assessed at $70,000 would pay an additional $130 per year.  Ecklund is projecting a 4% increase in sales tax revenues... and, is proposing using $2.77-million in undesignated fund balance to offset the increases.  The City Council will begun budget reviews on Mon., Oct. 19.  A final budget is due Dec. 1.
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One bit of good news for Senior citizen homeowners is that the senior property tax exemption would increase from $22,000 of income a year to $28,000. 

Quattrone says Sheriff's Office budget for 2027 is "lean..."
Chautauqua County's top cop says his department's tentative spending plan for 2027 is being kept as tight as possible.  However, the size of that budget is still bigger compared to this year.  Sheriff Jim Quattrone says his agency's spending will increase just over 5%... due primarily to increases in two areas -- one is collective bargaining agreements, the other is computer software... which he says impacts their radio systems and records management.  Quattrone says the other areas of his budget that will see increases include utilities, fuel and food.  He describes what his budget message is to county legislators... and, that's the fact it's a "lean" budget and keeps services stable.  County lawmakers began reviewing all department budgets this week.

Army Corps announces Michigan company has received contract for Barcelona Harbor Shoaling project...
The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has awarded a $7.3-million contract to a Michigan-based company to remove built-up sedment and install a wave-absorbing structure along the West Breakwater in Barcelona Harbor.  The Army Corps Buffalo Office reports the contract was awarded in late September to Great Lakes Dock and Materials.  Officials say the project is designed to "provide a long-term solution to significant shoaling and blockage of the federal navigation channel which has caused dangerous conditions for boaters on Lake Erie."  The Corps say the contract includes removal of the built-up sediment... and, installation of a stone structure to absorb the waves to address dangerous shoaling in the Westfield area.  The project is 100% federally funded... and is expected to take place next year.

City man arrested for drug possession, and giving officers a false name following street check...
A street check by police on Jamestown's eastside has led to the arrest of a city man for drug possession and lying about his identity.  Jamestown police say a patrol in the area of Winsor Street saw 33 year-old Shawn Beardsley walking on the roadway just after 1 a.m. Wednesday.... and, conducted the street check.  Officers had prior knowledge that Beardsley was sought on an outstanding city court warrant... and, he allegedly gave police the name of a relative to avoid arrest.  They also found that he was in possesion of a quantity of cocaine.  Beardsley was taken into custody without incident on charges of second-degree criminal impersonation... seventh-degree criminal possession of a controlled substance... and, failure to use the sidewalk... in addition to the warrant.  He was held pending arraignment.

Man from Ontario, NY arrested for shoplifting in Mayville...         
A Western New York man has been arrested for allegedly shoplifting at a Mayville convenience store.  Sheriff's officers were called to the scene just after 11 a.m. Monday... and, investigated.  Deputies say they found that 40 year-old Ryan Lawliss of Ontario allegedly stole property from the store... and, he was arrested for petty larceny.  Lawliss was issued an appearance ticket for Chautauqua Town Court.

Jamestown man arrested for refusing to pick up trash and garbage he threw onto a street...
A city man has been arrested for allegedly throwing trash and other objects onto a roadway on Jamestown's northside.  City police were called to the scene last Sunday night... and, saw 41 year-old Michael Hetrick throwing trash and garbage from a truck... onto the road.  Officers told Hetrick several times to stop... but, he refused to listen.  Police then told him he was going to be ticketed for littering... and he then began to walk away.  Officers caught up with Hetrick... and, after a brief struggle... took him into custody.  He's charged with resisting arrest... obstructing governmental administration... and, violating the City Code for littering and refusing to remove garbage and junk from the roadway.  Hetrick was held pending arraignment.