Three Erie County Water Authority Commissioners say their new executive director was not given a "golden parachute.”

They testified before the Erie County Legislature Thursday about the contract given to its executive director Earl Jann.

The Water Authority has come under fire for giving what some critics call a "golden parachute.” The contract guarantees Jann between $300-400,000 if he's forced out of his position for political reasons before his contract ends in 2020.

Jann, a Republican, could be forced out when Democrats take control of the politically appointed board this year. The commissioners say Jann was not given a golden parachute.

"Our intent was pure. We were simply trying to take care of business, and go through the steps with this contract to make sure it was gleaned and there was no extra clauses in it. There is no golden parachute clause in this contract," said ECWA Commissioner Bob Anderson.       

"I guess he was arguing with semantics. It was clear I think I laid out in that discussion what happened in a very direct way. Whatever his definition, for his definition of a golden parachute it wasn't, but for anyone else it seem that it was," said Patrick Burke, (D) Erie County Legislature.

Legislator Tom Loughran has called for total reform of the Water Authority. Lawmakers say they'll continue to call the commissioners back to the legislature to question them about issues.