Highlights of the 12/16/25 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on December 19, 2025
Parting thoughts from outgoing legislators
This last legislative meeting of 2025 was also the final meeting for several legislators who reflected with gratitude, humility, and a shared sense of purpose, speaking to the relationships built, the work accomplished, and the responsibility of public service. Their comments underscored a deep respect for colleagues, staff, and the community, and a belief that even amid disagreement, the legislature’s work is grounded in care for Tompkins County and its people. As they depart, they leave behind not only policy decisions, but lessons in collaboration, stewardship, and service.
Legislator and Chair of the Legislature Dan Klein (D-Danby, Caroline, Ithaca) reflected: “I'm grateful to all the legislators and employees of Tompkins County. The employees are the Tompkins County government, and Tompkins County government rocks. It has been an honor. It really has. This is one of the highlights of my life. So, thank you. Thank you, everyone.”
Legislator Mike Lane (D-Dryden) started his final thoughts with an analogy: “If you think of this legislature as an hourglass, it has the sand at the beginning of the four years in the top, and slowly the grains of sand fall through to the bottom. Tonight, we’re down to that very last grain of sand about to fall through, but don’t fear. Even though these four years are up, the new legislature will turn the hourglass over, and the sand will start to fall again.”
Mike Lane was also honored with a proclamation from the New York State Assembly, presented by Assemblymember Anna Kelles, celebrating his 44 years of public service in municipal and county government.
Legislator Rich John (D-Ithaca City) stated: “You don’t really do anything by yourself. Everybody comes along, and unless you have those eight votes, you push and pull here and there. As colleagues, we disagree, but that’s the democratic process that makes Tompkins County work, and I’m very, very happy that Tompkins County is working.”
Legislator Anne Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca) recalled: “This experience has been one of the hardest, but one of the most rewarding things that I’ve ever done. Everybody here really cares about the community, about other people.”
Legislator Amanda Champion (D-Ithaca Town) reminisced: “I have come to realize that the combination of stubborn passion and deep caring makes being on this legislature a very special thing to be part of. We do this job because we care. In my mind, that is the best and most honorable reason to serve.”
Legislator Nolan (D-Ithaca City) concluded: “It has been an absolute honor. When I look at the room, I see a bunch of folks doing their best. And that is absolutely the most we can ask of anybody.”
Other business
The Tompkins County Legislature
- named Hashanda Johnson and South Hill Cider as the 2025 recipients of the Leslyn McBean-Clairborne Strength in Diversity award, in recognition of their significant contributions to meaningful diversity in Tompkins County, and in support of their continued efforts to develop their vision and integrate diversity and inclusion into all aspects of their work;
- unanimously authorized $230,197 in contingent funding for shelter development services and the extension of an existing consulting contract to May 2026 to move forward the new build emergency shelter project on Cherry Street;
- authorized county administration to commence work on a solar array at 55 Brown Road pending continued negotiation of an amendment to the ground lease for the premises with Cornell University in a 12-2 vote (Legislators Lane (D-Dryden) and Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) opposed);
- accepted $15,000 in grant funding from the 250th Commemoration Commission on behalf of the New York State Education Department to support county-level activities commemorating the American Revolution and the “Unfinished Revolution.”