Highlights of the 11/18/25 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on November 20, 2025
Legislature unanimously adopts the 2026 budget
The adopted tax levy of $56,870,844 results in a 3.59% tax levy increase, which is equal to the county’s tax cap calculated by the state. This tax change will result in an increase of approximately $31.26 on a median-priced home ($300,000) or a county tax payment of roughly $1,469. For commercial properties, the tax increase is estimated at $96.90 on a median-priced property ($470,000) with a county tax payment of $2,302.
The unanimous final vote was preceded by several budget amendments. Legislator Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) reported that Cornell has reached an agreement with the Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT) underwriters for an annual contribution of $280,000. Dawson moved to reduce the county’s previous $500,000 allocation to $280,000. The motion for this $220,000 reduction carried unanimously.
Legislator John (D-Ithaca City) proposed to add $58,590 for Opportunities, Alternatives, and Resources (OAR) for College Initiative Update (CIU) and Endeavor House programs. Legislator Brooks (D-Ithaca City) proposed to add $37,960 for Cornell Cooperative Extension of Tompkins County and $95,000 for REACH Medical. The additions totaling $191,550 were approved in a 13-1 vote, with Legislator Lane (D-Dryden) opposed.
Legislator Mezey (D-Dryden) moved to add $150,000 to the contingent fund to build up the fund balance, which passed 13-1, with Legislator Sigler (R-Lansing) opposed.
Legislators commented on the 2026 budget as “one of the most difficult ones” (Legislator John, D-Ithaca City), a “reckoning” (Legislator Sigler, R-Lansing), and marked by “increases in wages, health insurance, and community needs” (Legislator Black, D-Ithaca Town). Reflections also included a sense of accomplishment in reaching a “balanced budget that maintains core services” (Legislator Shurtleff, R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing), “wrestling with decisions and aligning them with county values” (Legislator Mezey, D-Dryden), and “working hard to make the budget process transparent” (Legislator Lane, D-Dryden). Legislators thanked all departments and the county administration for their efforts and Legislator Lane for his leadership in this process. It was noted that this was Lane’s 40th municipal budget vote.
Code Blue shelter set to open on November 24
Opening on November 24, 2025 at 8 am, the Code Blue shelter at 227 Cherry Street in Ithaca will operate 24/7 into April 2026, serving as a daytime warming center with support services and providing beds every night, regardless of weather conditions. Volunteers of America (VOA) will operate the shelter, using a model that combines safe shelter and supportive services. Visit the DSS Code Blue website for more information on VOA’s philosophy, operations, shelter access, services, and contact information at the Ithaca site. With the opening of the shelter, daily Code Blue activation notifications from the county will cease as the overnight shelter and daytime warming center will be available every day and night.
Statement from the Chair of the Legislature, Dan Klein
This year’s Code Blue shelter is approximately twice as large as last year’s shelter. Unlike the previous shelter, the bathrooms are fully inside, as compared to having a bathroom trailer attached to the building. This year’s shelter has showers – last year’s did not. The men’s and women’s sections are now separated in a more private way than they were previously. There is now another small room in the shelter that can be used to provide an extra space for any situations where a little additional privacy may be needed.
The county has increased the budget for the operation of Code Blue. The extra money is being used to keep the shelter open all day as well as all night. This is the first year we have ever provided an all-day emergency cold weather shelter. Another addition this year is case management that will take place in the shelter.
Food will be provided. Laundry is provided. Storage is provided.
Transportation will be provided on a limited basis to pick up people at certain locations who want to go to the Code Blue shelter.
Dogs will be accommodated as much as possible. Dogs require an extra level of infrastructure and cost and raise potential issues about safety of guests and staff, flea infestations, and diseases such as rabies and parvovirus. If the shelter becomes infested with fleas, the entire shelter must be shut down for six days to clear the infestation.
All that NYS requires of counties in terms of Code Blue is to furnish a warm space. That is all. It does not even require that we provide sleeping space. Daytime hours, case management, providing food, accommodating dogs, providing transportation, laundry, storage, and more are ways in which Tompkins County is going well beyond the legal mandate to try to provide a safe and humane option for those in need, and to help them get out of their current situation.
The Code Blue shelter is only legally required to be open on nights when the temperature drops below 32 degrees. Our Code Blue shelter will be open continuously starting on November 24 and running into April. In other words, we do not close the shelter on a night, for example, in February when the temperature only gets down to 40 degrees.
When I look at the dedicated staff we have both in the county and with our not-for-profit partner Volunteers of America who are engaged in very difficult work, when I look at all the monetary and other resources we are bringing to bear to address people in need, when I look at the ways we go far beyond what is legally required of us, I see an organization that deserves congratulations. I am proud to be part of such an organization.
Apparently, some people look at all those same facts and conclude that we are not doing enough. I don’t know how else to respond to those critics except to give the explanation I have offered today.
Other business
As part of the community engagement plan for the Center of Government project, a public presentation is scheduled for December 8 at 6 pm in the Legislature Chambers. The presentation will also be livestreamed.
A resolution that called for state legislation that would allow the county to increase its hotel room occupancy tax by 1% was defeated. Legislator Mezey (D-Dryden) moved to return this discussion to committee to develop a plan for the potential use of this extra revenue, which was approved in a 9-5 vote, with Legislators Lane (D-Dryden), Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca), Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield), Black (D-Ithaca Town), and Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) opposed.
The designation of the Ithaca Journal as the official newspaper on record for Tompkins County was defeated 2-10, with Legislators Lane (D-Dryden) and Klein (D-Danby, Caroline, Ithaca) in favor. Legislator Mezey (D-Dryden) cited declining print circulation and outdated state requirements that exclude online news publications from designation. A call for state action to change these requirements was suggested. The Clerk of the Legislature noted that the county needs to report a designated newspaper by December 31.
The legislature unanimously authorized a public hearing on Local Law No. e of 2025 - A Local Law adding the position of Chief Equity and Diversity Officer to the Tompkins County Charter. Video recordings of committee discussions: Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Committee - October 29, 2025 and Government Operations Committee - November 6, 2025
The legislature unanimously adopted a resolution supporting New York State action to address biosolids and establishing an interdepartmental working group in Tompkins County.
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