The Cattaraugus County Industrial Development Agency is not mentioned in a proposed local law intended to sidestep a blanket state tax exemption and maintain the county's ability to tax wind farms and other alternative energy facilities.

But some Cattaraugus County Legislators said Monday that mistrust of the agency, along with a lack of understanding of the proposed law, probably will scuttle the second attempt in a year to bring it to a vote. The decision is likely to be made after a public hearing at 3 p. m. today in the legislative chambers on the third floor of the County Center in Little Valley.

"I think it will be sent back to committee," said Legislator E. James Ellis, R-Cattaraugus, who said he will try to make that motion on the floor this afternoon "unless somebody beats me to it."

Ellis, a strong supporter of bringing wind farms to the county, said he thinks confusion surrounding the law can be sorted out to maintain the county's taxing ability over developers who have staked out territory for at least four projects. But even after hearing from the IDA and the explanations of benefits other communities receive from wind projects, he doesn't feel he understands the measure well enough to vote for it.

Legislator Norman L. Marsh, R-Little Valley, said he has received many calls from Little Valley residents who don't object to the county's receiving wind power payments but object to any IDA involvement in a possible Florida Power and Light wind project in the town. Legislator Michael T. O'-Brien, R-Portville, said the county should pass the law but added that the IDA should pass a resolution ensuring a fair distribution of wind power payments.

Ellis said Monday he expects a large turnout for today's public hearing, especially from the Machias, Farmersville and Freedom communities, and said in recent days he has had calls from three "very concerned" former county legislators, as well as farmers living in Freedom and Farmersville who say they don't trust the Cattaraugus County IDA.

"They should stay out of our business," Freedom Supervisor Ron Ashworth said Monday, expressing fears that the local taxpayers will be the last to receive wind farm benefits.

Ashworth said he attended one of the IDA's educational meetings and believes the IDA expects to take 30 percent of the town's host fees, which would make the wind farm "not worth having."

But Corey Wiktor, the agency's executive director, disputed Ashworth's interpretation, saying, "We have zero to do with the formulation of host agreement. It's between the town and energy company. It's not our call."