September 15 2026 Special Meeting of Board of Elections

The Erie County Board of Elections held a special meeting on September 15, 2026, primarily to discuss urgent capital improvement needs and the establishment of a capital reserve fund. The board considered a supplemental appropriation of $5 million to create a capital reserve fund for non-bond capital projects, with a focus on replacing the county courthouse elevators, which are outdated and frequently nonfunctional, posing safety and accessibility issues. An additional ordinance appropriated $2.25 million specifically for the courthouse elevator replacement project, including a waiver of bid requirements due to the emergency nature and limited number of qualified contractors. The board discussed the need for a formal capital improvement plan and policy to guide future funding and project prioritization. Both ordinances to create the capital reserve fund and to fund the elevator project were approved by a 6-1 vote, with one member dissenting. The meeting emphasized the importance of transparent budgeting, planned maintenance, and compliance with procurement rules despite the emergency waiver.