The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from December 9, 2025

Following our notes taken during the County Council meeting held on December 9 at 6:00 p.m.

I attended the County Council meeting on Dec. 9 at 6 p.m. This meeting follows the special meeting that was held on Dec. 8, addressing County Executive Brenton Davis's 2026 budget vetoes. 14 of the 21 vetoes issued by Davis were overwritten. However, portions of the budget funding the Diversity Equity and Inclusion Commission (Diverse Erie) and Black Wall Street failed. Constituents spoke out against this vote during the council meetings. "The willingness to claw back that money from an organization that has boosted homeownership amongst Americans in Erie, PA, it's tough, it spells out the quiet hate that spoils this society," Constituent Kennedy Horton, son of Council Member Andre Horton, said. "That money was clawed back for no other reason than the color of those businesses and homeowners." 

Constituent Cyndi Treiber also spoke on the events of the special meeting, stating: "I witnessed people sitting here completely disengaged, completely disinterested, offering one word monotone responses that gave no impression of having a care." 

Constituents and council members alike also spent time recognizing Andre Horton for his 12 years of service in County Council, as this was his last meeting before the reorganization of County Council in January. Council Member Rock Copeland presented Horton with an award and written acknowledgement of his service, highlighting the creation of Erie County Community College, founding youth programs such as the Summer Jobs Program, and his instrumental work in council adopting Resolution 43, 2020 that declares racism a public health crisis. Horton graciously accepted the award while wiping away tears. "The first years after every meeting no matter the tough votes, like the votes last night, we all used to go out and we'd leave it right here," Horton said. "That's my prayer for y'all. After the tough votes, find some place because something happens when you break bread with people." County Council addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• An ordinance appropriating $601,724 for Act 13 Greenways Grant Distribution from the 2025 Planning Fund Budget remained tabled. 
• A resolution for the approval of transfers within the Conduct of Elections Budget exceeding ten percent remained tabled. 
• An ordinance for the supplemental appropriation of $497,755 from the 2025 General Fund Budget for additional grant revenue from the PA Election Integrity Grant passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance for the approval of 2026 Erie Non-Bargaining Employees Pay Plan was tabled unanimously. 
• Ordinances for the 2026 Appointed Official Salary Ordinances for County Clerk, First Assistant Public Defender, and Full and Part-Time Assistant Public Defenders passed unanimously. 
• Ordinances for the 2026 Appointed Official Salary Ordinances for Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance, Director of Finance, Public Defender, County Solicitor, First Assistant County Solicitor, and Two Assistant County Solicitors had their first readings and were not voted on. 
• A resolution approving the 2026 Solicitor Contract for the Office of the Clerk of Records of Erie County passed unanimously. 
• A resolution approving the 2026 Solicitor Contract for the Office of the Controller of Erie County passed unanimously. 
• A resolution approving the Tentative Lease Agreement with Sandi and Norman Beatty for Office Space Located at 6880 Rt. 215, East Springfield, Pennsylvania for Magisterial District Judge Jeffrey Gadley passed unanimously. 
• A resolution approving the Intergovernmental Transfer Agreement between the PA Department of Human Services-Office of Long Term Living and the County of Erie passed unanimously.
• The possible appointment of Henry Chiapa to the Erie County Planning Commission passed unanimously. 
• The possible appointment of William S. Jeffress to the Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission passed unanimously.