Meet your Government
Welcome to Tompkins County!
On behalf of the Tompkins County Legislature, thank you for visiting our website and for helping make Tompkins County such a wonderful place to live, work, and raise a family. Our communities are strengthened every day by engaged residents, dedicated public servants, local businesses, nonprofit organizations, and neighbors who care deeply about one another and the future of our county.
County government plays an important role in delivering essential services that support the health, safety, and well-being of our residents. From public health and emergency response to transportation, environmental stewardship, social services, economic development, and public infrastructure, Tompkins County government works every day to improve the quality of life for all who call our community home.
As Chair of the Legislature, I believe that effective government must be transparent, accessible, and accountable to the people it serves. Residents deserve clear information about how decisions are made, how public funds are spent, and how they can participate in shaping our county's future. We remain committed to open government, public engagement, and ensuring that every resident has the opportunity to be heard.
The Tompkins County Legislature is composed of 16 elected legislators who represent geographic districts throughout our county. Together, we work to bring our constituents' voices, priorities, and concerns into the decision-making process while seeking solutions that benefit the entire community.
Whether you are looking for county services, information about upcoming meetings, or opportunities to engage with your local government, I encourage you to explore this website and connect with your elected representatives. We are honored to serve you and are committed to building a Tompkins County that remains welcoming, vibrant, and resilient for generations to come.
Thank you for your interest in Tompkins County and for all you do to make our community a remarkable place to call home.
Sincerely,
Shawna Black
Chair, Tompkins County Legislature
County Government
County governments in New York State offer a diverse collection of services. Created as administrative subdivisions of the state government, their responsibilities include the delivery of a wide range of human services delegated to counties by the State.
County government responsibilities include:
- Human Services
- Public Health
- Public Safety and Corrections
- Roads and Maintenance
- Public Records
- Elections
The Role Of County Government
County government in New York State is unique in the diversity of services counties offer.
Beyond the functions common to all levels of local government—such as police protection and road maintenance—counties are responsible for a wide range of human services that are delegated to the counties by the State. In fact, counties were created as administrative subdivisions of the state government to carry out State functions. While the role of counties has grown, many of the State’s largest and most important social programs continue to be delegated to, and delivered by, counties.
Tompkins County, like New York State’s other counties, is responsible for delivering programs that assist people who are facing economic hardship, are vulnerable to abuse or exploitation, or suffer from mental illness or developmental delays. Counties are the State’s front line of defense in protecting the public’s health and play a primary role in maintaining the public’s safety. Counties operate jails, prosecute those charged with criminal offenses, provide free legal counsel for those who cannot afford their own attorney, and supervise those who are on probation. Counties also serve as the main repository for public records and manage the election process.
In addition to these and other mandated responsibilities, Tompkins County provides police protection through a sheriff’s office, operates a countywide 911 Center, provides planning guidance, and maintains an extensive system of roads and bridges. Tompkins County is one of only two counties in the State to operate a consolidated Assessment Department.
Read more about the role of municipal governments in New York State in this Local Government Handbook.
Legislature-Administrator Government
Tompkins County was founded in 1817. Since 1970, it has operated under a County Charter, with a legislature-administrator form of government.
- Oversees county services and spending
- Sets policy and determines the best use of financial resources
- Appoints the County Administrator, County Finance Director, County Attorney, and Legislative Clerk
- Legislators are elected every four years from districts of approximately equal population size
- Beginning in 2014, the number of legislators and districts decreased from 15 to 14, as a result of redistricting following the 2010 Census.
- Oversees and coordinates county government
- Operations to carry out the policies of the Legislature
- Appoints all other non-elected department heads, subject to the Legislature's confirmation
- Guides the delivery of services by employees of county departments and through contracts with not-for-profit agencies and service providers
Other County Elected Officials:
Local Municipalities
Located within Tompkins County are the City of Ithaca; the Towns of Ithaca, Caroline, Danby, Dryden, Enfield, Groton, Lansing, Newfield, and Ulysses; and the Villages of Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Freeville, Groton, Lansing, and Trumansburg.
View municipal boundaries through an interactive online map.
Each city, town, and village offers residents information and services.
Municipalities are responsible for some local roads, public safety and fire services, parks, recreation and youth programs, zoning and economic development, permits, yard waste pickup, trash and sanitation, marriage licenses, sustainability programs, and more.
Explore the municipal websites below for more information.
Tompkins County is located in New York State. The State has a comprehensive services guide available for residents and businesses to explore.
Council of Governments
Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) is an association of local governments organized to provide a forum for discussion and negotiation leading to agreements for more efficient and fiscally responsible delivery of government services. One of the initiatives of TCCOG is the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium.