LITTLE VALLEY—Cattaraugus County legislators today will hold three public hearings on changes to laws, one of which would renew the county’s hotel and motel tax, also called the “bed tax.”

Hearings begin at 3 p. m. as legislators meet a day early due to Veterans Day. They will vote on each law following the hearings.

Sponsored by Finance Chairman Michael T. O’Brien, R-Portville, a law to renew the county’s 5 percent bed tax — in force since 2004 — is expected to be adopted effective Nov. 21.

The tax generates around $600,000 a year for the county, which spends around $100,000 for Web sites, advertising, a travel guide and related salaries.

Also, $200,000 will again be set aside in 2010 for local Chambers of Commerce requesting money for their tourism projects, festivals and promotions. Already applying for next year are Chambers in Olean, Salamanca, Ellicottville, Gowanda, Arcade (for the Village of Delevan) and a Randolph business group.

Another law would increase the daily rate for private-pay patients in the county’s two nursing homes by 2 percent. Effective Jan. 1, new rates would be $220 per day for Olean and $255 per day for Machias.

A final law would modify fees for disposal of bulky materials at county transfer stations, effective Jan. 1. Fees that affect most residents will not change. They are $1 per 15-gallon garbage bag and $2 per 30-gallon garbage bag.

Legislators have joined together to sponsor a resolution that opposes new state fees for issuing new license plates in April.

County Clerk James K. Griffith has determined the new plates would significantly impact residents, who would pay higher fees of $1.1 million for passenger vehicles, $273,140 for commercial trucks and SUVs and $65,800 for trailers.

Sponsors of the resolution contend “fees are being implemented during a prolonged recession, which will make it even harder for the residents of the county,” and they “urge that the implementation of the license plate exchange fee program be canceled.” Copies of the resolution will be sent to Gov. David A. Paterson and local state officials.

Also, legislators will consider a bid of $48,692 from Kenyon Press of Sherburne to print 170,000 copies of the 2010 County Activities Guide with folding centerfold county map inserted.

Following the Legislature session, Public Safety Committee Chairman Carmen A. Vecchiarella, R-Salamanca, has called for a meeting of his committee. “The meeting will be in executive session to discuss personnel matters,” he said.

Discussion is expected to focus on a letter from County Family Court Judge Michael L. Nenno dated Oct. 28. In the letter to the Legislature and

Public Defender Mark S. Williams, Nenno wrote, “The clerks in Family Court have been deluged with requests for adjournments the court cannot ignore.”

Williams has been absent due to recent surgery, making the office one attorney short to cover Family Court and all the courts in the county. His first assistant, Heather Tomes, has told Nenno she needs an assistant for criminal matters. Nenno responded, “The Family Court has come to a halt because Miss Tomes needs an assistant.”