Highlights of the 10/21/25 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on October 24, 2025
2026 tentative budget approved – public hearing scheduled on October 28
The legislature unanimously approved the 2026 tentative budget, which includes a total tax levy of $56,750,294, resulting in an approximate tax levy increase of 3.37%. The tentative budget, as amended, results in an increased tax payment of $28 on a median-priced home ($300,000), or a county tax payment of approximately $1,466. This tentative budget will be presented at a public hearing on October 28, 2025 at 5:30 pm in the Legislature Chambers and via livestream.
Legislators introduced several amendments before the budget vote:
New Amendment – Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County
Legislator Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) proposed fully restoring the budget cuts made in the 2025 budget by increasing the 2026 budget by $37,960, in addition to Amendment 56, approved on 10/8/25, which added $36,000 to the agency’s budget. The amendment failed 7-7, with Legislators Lane (D-Dryden), John (D-Ithaca City), Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing), Brooks (D-Ithaca City), Black (D-Ithaca Town), Champion (D-Ithaca Town), and Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) opposed.
New Amendment – Airport
Legislator Sigler (R-Lansing) proposed and later withdrew an amendment for the county to take over the airport’s annual $683,969 debt payment.
New Amendment – Youth Services
Legislator Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) proposed to reinstate a 3% cost-of-living adjustment for the funded community agencies ($11,783), including Ithaca Youth Bureau – Big Brothers Big Sisters, Outings Program, Recreation Support Services, Youth Employment Services, Youth Ambassadors Program; Learning Web – Youth Exploration Program, Youth Outreach Program; Family & Children's Services – Open Doors. The original motion failed 6-7. In a later motion to reconsider, the amendment was approved 8-6, with Legislators Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights), Champion (D-Ithaca Town), Nolan (D-Ithaca City), Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing), John (D-Ithaca City), and Lane (D-Dryden) opposed.
New Amendment – Community Food Coalition
Legislator Pillar (D-Ithaca City) moved to add $25,000 for the Community Food Coalition to support the network of food distribution sites and pantries throughout the county. The amendment was approved 12-2, with Legislators Lane (D-Dryden) and Champion (D-Ithaca Town) opposed.
Office for the Aging relocation plans reconfirmed
A resolution submitted by Legislator Black (D-Ithaca Town) and introduced by Legislator Champion (D-Ithaca Town), due to Black’s temporary absence, proposed pausing the relocation of the Tompkins County Office for the Aging (COFA) to 31 Dutch Mill Road in Lansing until further review and public feedback are completed.
Legislator John (D-Ithaca City) inquired how much this would slow down deconstruction and the Center of Government project overall. John amended the resolution to schedule a public forum to solicit public feedback at the next legislature meeting, and Legislator Champion (D-Ithaca Town) further amended it to remove several lines that directed the county administrator to review and consult with stakeholders and report back to the legislature on the findings if COFA is the best department to move to this space. The amendments were considered friendly.
Legislator Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) thought that COFA shouldn’t move at all until the Center of Government is ready; instead, a permanent location for the Board of Elections should be sought.
Legislator Sigler (R-Lansing) noted that the COFA director confirmed that this location is feasible and COFA will continue to provide high-quality services at any location.
The amended resolution failed in a 6-7 vote, with Legislators Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca), Mezey (D-Dryden), Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing), Nolan (D-Ithaca City), Sigler (R-Lansing), and Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) opposed. Eight votes would have been needed to pass the resolution during Legislator Black’s absence.
At the end of the meeting, Legislator Black (D-Ithaca Town) made a motion to reconsider the resolution with the amendments, which failed 7-7, with Legislators Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca), Mezey (D-Dryden), Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing), Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield), Nolan (D-Ithaca City), Sigler (R-Lansing), and Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) opposed.
Other business
County Administrator Korsah Akumfi and several legislators acknowledged the work and accomplishments of Chief Equity and Diversion Officer Charlene Holmes, who is transitioning out of this role at the end of the week. The position is posted on the county website; applications can be submitted until November 9.
The legislature unanimously appointed Republican Election Commissioner Alanna Congdon for a two-year term and recognized the work she performs in this role.
Nick Ensign has been recently promoted to Tompkins County Highway Director. Ensign has been an invaluable member of the Highway Department since 2018, serving as Deputy Highway Director and, most recently, as the Interim Highway Director. With more than 25 years of experience in highway operations, construction management, and public works, Ensign brings both technical expertise and deep institutional knowledge to his new role.
A total of $9,485 in community celebration grants was awarded to eight organizations for events that celebrate the county's unique culture and history, as well as $33,700 in tourism advancement grants to six organizations for projects and marketing campaigns that bring visitors to Tompkins County.
The New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance has awarded Tompkins County Workforce Development an additional $354,533 to extend the Summer Youth Employment Program to help reduce community gun violence and youth criminal justice involvement by providing year-round employment opportunities. Participation in the G.I.V.E. program makes the county eligible for this funding.
Legislator John (D-Ithaca City) announced that the Center for Governmental Research (CGR) will present at the next Public Safety Committee (October 28 at 1 pm) findings of their evaluation of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in Tompkins County.
The legislature approved the establishment of the Air Service Board – Ithaca Tompkins International Airport as a permanent advisory board.
How to stay engaged