County Budget & Financial Information

Understanding the 2026 Annual Budget Process

2026 Online Budget Book 

• Browse by department, agency, and other parameters

• As part of this budget development process, all departments and funded not-for-profit agencies were asked to submit a budget outlining their maintenance of effort calculations (funding required to maintain existing programs and services) and enhancement requests (additional funds for new positions and/or programming).

2026 Recommended Budget Book (PDF)

• In the recommended budget, the county administrator delineates for each department which enhancement requests could be supported and which ones could not due to fiscal constraints.

• Departments and agencies can detail these requests during presentations to the Expanded Budget Committee (EBC), and they are for the legislature to consider when voting on the budget. Any increases to the recommended budget, if not offset by reductions in other areas, will result in a tax levy increase.

• Highlights of the 2026 recommended Tompkins County budget as prepared by the county administrator:

  • The proposed total property tax levy is $57 million, which is $2.5 million, or 4.5%, higher than in 2025.
  • If passed, this would result in a 4.5% tax levy increase and a $37 increase in the property tax bill for the owner of a median-priced ($300,000) home.
  • The recommended operating budget totals $240 million, with revenues comprising primarily of local property taxes (levy), sales tax receipts, and state and federal funding.

Expanded Budget Committee (EBC)

• Highlights of the EBC meetings, especially the voting sessions, focus on enhancement requests or significant changes proposed by departments, agencies, and legislators during the budget process. In addition to these discussions, the legislature can also add or reduce programs that are not included in the county administrator’s recommendation. 

• View the schedule for department and agency presentations(, 0B).

• EBC meetings are livestreamed and can be attended in person. There is no privilege of the floor for the public during these meetings. Recordings are available after the meeting.

• Review the highlights of the Expanded Budget Committee meetings.

• Attend the public Budget Forum on September 30.

• Attend voting sessions of the Expanded Budget Committee scheduled for October 2, 6, and 8 at 5 pm in the Legislative Chambers, or view the livestream/recording.

Public Feedback

• Provide your feedback and comments on the budget on the county's community engagement portal.

July 2025

• 2026 Budget Retreat presentation(PDF, 459KB)

April 2025

• 2026 Budget Retreat presentation(PDF, 807KB)

 

Prior Year's Budget Documents