Erie, PA — In response to County Executive Brenton Davis’ press conference touting the county’s financial standing according to the 2024 audit report, Democratic nominee for Erie County Executive Christina Vogel is calling for transparency and honesty with Erie County taxpayers.

“It’s a little disheartening that County Executive Davis felt the need to call a press conference to try to sell the idea that he has saved the taxpayers of Erie County money,” Vogel said. “In reality, the people of Erie County, myself included, all saw a 10.9% increase in their property taxes in 2023,” Vogel stated.

The fund balance that Davis referred to was $64,433,913 at the end of 2022, but saw a 9% decrease to $58,682,155 as of the end of 2023 under his watch. At the end of 2024, the fund balance, according to the audit report, was $62,559,944, still lower than the end of 2022 even with the 10.9% tax increase. The county audit reports can be found online here: Reports | Erie County, PA. 

“While Davis claims he ‘returned money to the taxpayers’, that is simply not true. Those dollars remain in the general fund,” said Vogel. “If the county has an excessive balance at the end of the year, it should be used for projects to support the people of Erie County. Or, since we’re seeing issues with staff retention, the County Executive should consider giving the hard working county employees a raise without raising taxes,” stated Vogel.

“I look forward to discussing the finances of the county, how county government works, and long-term plans for the county as the campaign season moves on. I hope the County Executive is prepared to talk about the 9% decrease to the general fund in 2023, loss of grants at various departments and municipalities, poor morale amongst county employees, litigation of nine lawsuits at the expense of the taxpayers, including the recent federal lawsuit at the Erie County Prison for assault claims, increased county expenses compared to years prior, the lack of proper budgeting as he takes from the ‘rainy day fund’, as he calls it (in actuality the general fund), instead of balancing the budget as required by the Home Rule Charter, and the many other failures that we’ve seen as a result of his tenure. The taxpayers are paying for a position that moves the county forward and the County Executive is providing something else entirely.  It is time to move on.” 

A former analyst for the Office of Management and Budget for the State of Illinois and a small business owner, Vogel has built her campaign around responsible governance, improving the lives of our taxpayers, and restoring public trust.

Please contact Jarrett Brown, Campaign Manager, for follow up questions or interview availability: jarrett@christinavogel.com // 412-660-6348