The Reader Beat: County Council Notes from Oct. 21, 2025
Summary of ordinances and resolutions
I attended the county council meeting on Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. During the meeting, some constituents raised concerns over federal budget cuts. "In news story after news story I see county after county across Pennsylvania trying to get ahead of critical budget shortfalls as federal dollars dry up due to Trump's Project 2025 budget cuts," said Constituent Matt Texter. "Since the Davis administration is unable to see the writing on the wall, we need all hands on deck in this body." Constituent Heidi Shadeck called for the end of the DHS contract to hold ICE detainees in Erie County Prison: "I don't want my local government profiting from a contract with the agency committing daily acts of violence, cruelty, lawlessness, and abuse of power." Council addressed the following ordinances and resolutions:
- An ordinance appropriating $601,724 from the Planning Fund Budget for Act 13 Greenways Grant Distribution continued to be tabled.
- An ordinance for a 2025 General Fund Budget Waiver of county purchasing code for a three-year contract for Westlaw subscription for judges library passed unanimously.
- An ordinance appropriating $75,000 for release and transfer of Restricted Act 152 Demolition Funds to 2025 Planning Fund had its first reading and was not voted on.
- An ordinance appropriating $75,000 from Act 152 Demolition Funds for professional fees had its first reading and was not voted on.
- An ordinance stopping payments made in excess of budgeted appropriations was unanimously moved to a second reading and was unanimously passed by council.
- A 2025 Appointed Official Salary Ordinance for a full-time assistant public defender had its first reading and was not voted on.
- A resolution of the County of Erie, Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, authorizing the submission of an application to the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development for funding through the Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Program passed unanimously.
- A resolution in support of Operation Green Light passed unanimously.
- A possible appointment of Scott Harris to The Erie County Land Bank passed unanimously.
- A possible sale of a parcel at E. 11th St. City of Erie, from the Repository for Unsold Property passed unanimously.
