The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from January 13, 2026

Following our notes taken during the County Council meeting on Jan. 13.

Erie County Council held a meeting on Jan. 13 at 6 p.m. Charlie Bayle and Chris Drexel attended the meeting remotely. Some constituents addressed the importance of public engagement. "In order to have effective governance, I understand that members of the public need to regularly engage with members of council and other offices to ensure our voices are heard and our concerns are shared," Constituent Jacob Jones said. Constituent Anna McCartney also discussed public engagement in the case of the settlement between Gannon University and the Blasco Memorial Library. "The settlement really underscores the importance of community involvement and transparency in decisions affecting public assets," McCartney said. "Our achievements were celebrated not as a conclusion of our efforts, but as a testament that we can accomplish a lot when we get united." Some results of the settlement include the first lease term being shortened from 25 years to 10 and the leased space being open and free to the public. Constituent Deonte Cooley emphasized the importance of representation in government and community. "We need to be building our community and we need to be investing in our community, the Black community," he said. Council then addressed the following ordinances and resolutions: 

• The 2026 Appointed Official Salary Ordinances for Director of Human Resources, Director of Finance, Director of Administration, Public Defender, County Solicitor, First Assistant County Solicitor, and Two Assistant County Solicitors passed unanimously.
• An ordinance approving Harborcreek Township Ordinance 2010-201-8, an amendment of real estate tax relief and effective date extension had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance for the supplemental appropriation of $50,000 from the First 2026 General Fund Budget and creation of line items for the central booking fee had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance for supplemental appropriation of $608,920 from the First 2026 General Fund Budget and creation of line items for State Food Purchase Plan Contract with Second Harvest Food Bank had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• An ordinance for the 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures and creation of temporary staff line items in the Finance Bureau was moved to a second reading and passed unanimously. 
• An ordinance for the 2026 General Fund Budget revised expenditures and creation of temporary staff line items in the Information Technology (IT) Bureau was moved to a second reading and passed unanimously. 
• The 2026 Appointed Official Salary Ordinance - Director of Administration was moved to a second reading and passed 5-2 with Bayle and Schauerman voting no. 
• The 2026 Appointed Official Salary Ordinance - Public Defender was moved to a second reading and passed 5-2 with Bayle and Schauerman voting no. 
• An ordinance for the 2026 General Fund Budget Waiver of Human Resources Code and approval of starting rate above 6 percent maximum increase for an Executive Assistant position in County Executive Bureau was moved to a second reading and passed 5-2 with Bayle and Schauerman voting no.
• An ordinance for the 2026 General Fund Budget Waiver of Human Resources Code and approval of starting rate above 6 percent maximum increase for Director of Planning was moved to a second reading and passed 5-2 with Bayle and Schauerman voting no.
• The 2026 County Council Solicitor Retainer had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• The 2026 County Council Deputy Solicitor Retainer had its first reading and was not voted on. 
• A resolution approving amendments to the PILOT (payment in lieu of taxes) agreement between the Pennsylvania State University, the Harborcreek School District, the Township of Harborcreek, and the County of Erie passed unanimously.
• A resolution approving the extension agreement for two-year lease renewal with Averhealth and County of Erie for space located at Erie County Community Corrections Center passed unanimously. 
• Resolutions appointing Maher Duessel to perform audits of the County of Erie, the Erie County HealthChoices program, Pleasant Ridge Manor, the Pleasant Ridge Manor Pension Plan, and Expert Community Care Management for calendar year ending Dec. 31, 2025 passed unanimously.
• The possible appointment of Jeffrey Church to the Erie County Land Bank passed unanimously.
• The possible appointment of Kevin Smith to the Erie Regional Airport Authority passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of Ronald Bole to the Erie County Planning Commission passed unanimously.
• The possible reappointment of James Cardman to the Erie County Land Bank passed unanimously.
• The possible reappointment of Quyen L. Aoh, Ph.D. to the Erie County Library Advisory Board passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of Mark B. Louis to the Erie County Gaming Revenue Authority passed unanimously. 
• The possible reappointment of Peter J. Zapharis to the Erie County Convention Center Authority passed unanimously.
• The possible reappointment of William S. Jeffress to the Erie County Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Commission passed unanimously.