Cattaraugus County is a municipal corporation with a population of approximately 77,042. The County was formed for the purpose of exercising the powers and discharging such duties of local government and the administration of public affairs as may be imposed or conferred upon it by law.

The New York State trial courts for Cattaraugus County include Supreme Court, County Court, Family Court and Surrogate Court. There are two multi-bench county court judges who preside in County, Family and Surrogate Court and are assigned as acting supreme court justices.

The judges are required to be proficient in various areas of legal practice and procedure since they hear cases in all four courts. The judges are elected to ten-year terms.  The Cattaraugus County Court facilities are located in Little Valley and Olean.

Signatures on the RP-5217

The Board of Elections is responsible for the maintenance of over 54,000 voter registration files. You should apply to register if you are not currently registered, have moved to a new address or have not voted in an election since 2020.

Functions of the County Attorney

• Is the legal advisor to County Legislature, County Departments and every officer whose compensation is paid from County funds in all matters involving an official act of a civil nature.
• Prosecutes and defends all civil actions and proceedings brought by or against the County, the County Legislature and any officer whose compensation is paid from County funds for any official act.
• Employs and supervises counsel when needed for any civil action or proceeding brought by or against the County or any County offic

The duties and responsibilities of the County Administrator are as follows:

Act 269-85 notes that “County Administrator…. should coordinate the daily operations of the County…be directly responsible to the Legislature and perform the functions of a chief administrative officer on behalf of the Legislature, with the Legislature retaining final administrative authority”. Further the same Act specifies the following duties:

The Cattaraugus County Department of the Aging provides or assures the provision of needed services to county residents who are age 60 or older.

The Department was created in July of 1975 through an Act of the Cattaraugus County Legislature. Since its inception, the Department has coordinated with existing community services, planned, developed, and, in some cases, administered needed programs while also promoting new and better services for all individuals age 60 or older.