The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from April 7, 2026

Following our notes taken during the County Council meeting on April 7 at 6 p.m.

I attended the County Council meeting on April 7 at 6 p.m. Constituent Cyndi Treiber shared that in February she attempted to reach out and discuss with district Police Chiefs about policies and protocols but received little to no response after multiple follow-ups in March. "I know that you can help. I know that this is important. I'm a 52-year-old white woman from a law enforcement family asking for help, and if you don't help me, no one who is not a 52-year-old white woman is going to believe that you will," Treiber said. The meeting covered the following ordinances, resolutions, and appointments: 

• The supplemental appropriation of $40,943 from the first 2026 Public Health Fund Budget for additional opioid settlement funds received from the Office of Drug and Alcohol Abuse passed unanimously. 
• The supplemental appropriation of $1,000 from the Third 2026 Library Fund Budget for donation from VisitErie passed unanimously. 
• The 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures of $8,227 passed unanimously. 
• The 2026 appointed official salary for the Director of Human Resources was amended to make the salary $93,000. The ordinance passed unanimously with the amendment. 
• The 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures of $6,678 for reorganization of the Human Resources Department and reclassification of three positions passed unanimously. 
• The 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures of $40,788 for salary increases and approval of a one-year MOU/Agreement between the lieutenants and the county passed 5-2 with Copeland and Drexel voting no. 
• The 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures of $18,849 for salary increases to the Prison Fund Budget passed 5-2 with Copeland and Drexel voting no.
• The approval of waiver of bid requirements under the purchasing code and approval of sole vendor contract between Eaton Corporation and the Erie County Public Safety Department had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• The 2026 appointed official salary for a part-time Assistant Public Defender was moved to a second reading and passed unanimously. 
• A resolution approving the 2026 Erie County Emergency Operations Plan passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Kimberly Garnon to the NWPA Job Connect Board passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of John Hallenburg to the Erie County Conservation Board passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of Morgan Gilmore to the Erie County Conservation Board passed unanimously.