Highlights of the 8/18/26 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on August 20, 2026
Watch the meeting recording on YouTube
Jump to discussions on specific agenda items on the Meeting Portal
Topics included:
- 2027 budget development continues
- County receives 2025 financial audit
- Public hearings on animal abuse registry and CDBG assistance
- Natural infrastructure and farmland protection investments
- Call for delay in federal SNAP cost shifts
- Pavement monitoring technology for Highway Department
2027 budget development continues
County Administrator Korsah Akumfi provided legislators with an update on the development of the 2027 Recommended Budget, emphasizing that the Administration team continues to review departmental requests line by line ahead of the September 1 budget presentation.
As of August 18, the preliminary property tax levy was approximately $63.96 million, representing a 12.47% increase over 2026. That figure assumes the use of $1 million from the county’s Tax Stabilization Reserve. Akumfi said using $2 million from the reserve could reduce the increase to approximately 9%.
County Attorney Maury Josephson reminded legislators that drawing from the Tax Stabilization Reserve requires a two-thirds vote of the Legislature, rather than the simple majority required to adopt the budget.
Administration had substantially reduced the overall projected increase from departments’ initial submissions. Akumfi said the initial departmental submissions represented an approximately 29.6% increase, which had been reduced to the then-current 12.47%.
Legislator Hubbard (D-Ithaca City, Town) thanked Administration for scrutinizing departmental budgets during what she described as a difficult budget year.
“Bringing down the request from 29.6% to 12.4% is already a significant improvement in our position,” said Hubbard. “I’m sure we’ll have some lengthy discussions from here on out.”
Akumfi also noted that roughly $7 million of the difference between the prior-year adopted budget and the current working 2027 budget is related to $4.6 million in fund balance used to support the 2026 budget and the 3% vacancy factor used last year.
County receives clean 2025 Financial Audit
Representatives from Insero & Co. presented the county’s audited financial statements for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2025. Auditors reported clean, unmodified opinions on the financial statements, government auditing standards report, and single audit, with no findings in those reports.
Auditors reported that the county spent approximately $36.3 million in federal funding during 2025, much of it passed through New York State, along with approximately $18 million in State Department of Transportation funding.
The audit also showed approximately $44 million in unassigned General Fund balance at the end of 2025, down from approximately $62 million in 2021 as the county has drawn on fund balance in recent years. The county also had approximately $2.8 million in its Tax Stabilization Reserve. The audit reported that actual expenditures came in approximately $7.6 million below the final amended budget, with some of the largest favorable variances in public health and transportation. The legislature unanimously accepted the audited financial report.
Legislature schedules public hearing on proposed Animal Abuse Registry
The Legislature unanimously scheduled a public hearing on a proposed local law establishing a Tompkins County Animal Abuse Registry for 5:30 pm on September 1, 2026 in the Legislative Chambers.
Legislator Bianconi (D-Ithaca Town) brought the proposal forward following a request from a constituent and worked with the Public Safety Committee, District Attorney’s Office, Sheriff’s Office and County Attorney’s Office on its development. The proposal will return to committee for additional work before the Legislature considers adopting the local law.
District Attorney Matthew Van Houten told legislators that his office prosecutes approximately six to 10 animal cruelty cases in a typical year. He emphasized that prosecutors distinguish between intentional cruelty and cases involving poverty or mental illness, where the goal is to find an appropriate and compassionate resolution.
“The protection of animals is not only in and of itself valuable, but also is an indicator. People who abuse animals are also more likely to do other things that would fall on my radar,” said Van Houten.
Bianconi said the registry would serve not only as a potential deterrent but as an information-sharing tool for shelters, breeders and others placing animals.
“Any person who sells animals, adopts out animals, can look at that registry and make sure that somebody that they’re planning on giving an animal to isn’t on that list,” said Bianconi. “It represents what we value as a community.”
The vote only scheduled the public hearing; legislators have not yet voted to adopt the proposed law.
Legislature approves natural infrastructure and farmland protection investments
The legislature approved several conservation-related resolutions, including $2,500 to support a New York Agricultural Land Trust application seeking permanent protection of 131 acres of Aschener Farm in Newfield and Ulysses. The conservation easement would not change the property’s tax status, and the land trust would manage the easement in perpetuity if the application is successful.
Legislators also unanimously approved projects totaling $94,425 through the county’s Natural Infrastructure Capital Program, which supports the preservation of lands that provide benefits such as flood mitigation, water protection, and wildlife habitat. The projects included funding toward creation of a new nature preserve in Newfield, an addition to the Lindsay-Parsons Biodiversity Preserve, and protection of wetlands draining toward Six Mile Creek.
“We couldn’t afford to engineer what wetlands do,” Legislator Weiser (D-Caroline, Danby) said, describing their role in holding and filtering stormwater. “It really is a kind of capital project and capital infrastructure investment.”
Commissioner of Planning and Sustainability Katie Borgella reported that approximately 1,700 acres have been protected through the program over 10 years, at an average county cost of approximately $639 per acre, and indicated an interest in seeking renewed program funding in 2027.
Legislature calls for delay of federal SNAP cost shifts
The legislature unanimously approved a resolution calling for a two-year delay of new federal SNAP administrative and benefit cost shifts enacted under H.R. 1 and asking New York State to hold counties harmless if Congress does not act.
Legislator Ostlund (D-Ulysses, Enfield) explained that one change reduces the federal share of SNAP administrative costs from 50% to 25%. Because New York is among the states where SNAP is administered locally, counties could be responsible for the additional administrative cost beginning October 1. A second change, scheduled for 2027, could require states to contribute toward SNAP benefits depending on statewide payment error rates.
Ostlund emphasized that payment error rates are not synonymous with fraud and can result from overpayments, underpayments, changes in household income, or administrative paperwork issues. The resolution asks Congress to delay the changes for two years to allow time for implementation guidance and sustainable funding plans and asks New York State to assume the additional costs rather than passing them to counties if federal action does not occur.
Commissioner of Social Services Brittanie Earle stated the county is already discussing potential worst-case budget impacts while also hoping that State error rates improve or implementation of the federal changes is delayed.
County takes additional steps at emergency shelter
The legislature approved a Monroe balancing analysis allowing the county to move forward with work at its leased emergency shelter property at 654 Elmira Road.
The work includes returning two rooms that had been taken out of service following a fire to occupancy and constructing a security booth and entrance arm to better control access to the property. County Attorney Josephson said the improvements also support the facility’s State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance licensing requirements.
Legislator Mezey (D-Dryden) clarified for the public that the Monroe balancing process does not mean the county is foregoing building-code requirements; rather, it changes how review and permitting responsibilities are handled and is intended to expedite the process.
Highway Department to implement pavement monitoring technology
The legislature unanimously authorized the Highway Department to contract for a vehicle-mounted pavement monitoring system that will collect visual, vibration, and other road-condition data during normal county vehicle operations.
The system is intended to replace or supplement the current process in which Highway managers periodically drive county roads and manually rate pavement conditions, providing more objective data for road maintenance and capital planning.
The 2026 cost is supported with approximately $33,000 in permitting-fee revenue. Legislators amended the resolution to remove a proposed 2027 target increase, leaving future-year funding to be considered through the regular budget process. The amended resolution passed unanimously.
Public hearings scheduled
The legislature approved the scheduling of two public hearings for 5:30 pm on September 1, 2026 in the Legislative Chambers, related to 2026 Community Development Block Grant assistance and a proposed local law establishing a Tompkins County Animal Abuse Registry.
Other actions and updates
The legislature unanimously appointed County Administrator Korsah Akumfi to serve as interim Director of Finance following the departure of the current Finance Director Darrell Tuttle, and while the county searches for a permanent replacement. Legislators thanked Tuttle for his service to Tompkins County and wished him well.
The county’s annual real property tax auction concluded with 14 properties offered for sale, down from 23 properties earlier in the foreclosure process. Finance Director Tuttle credited his staff’s outreach and efforts to work with property owners to resolve outstanding taxes with helping several owners retain their properties. Most of the properties that ultimately went to auction were vacant.
The legislature also approved funding from contingency to replace a Highway Division sign truck damaged in an accident. Insurance will cover the value of the vehicle, while county funds will cover additional costs associated with outfitting the replacement truck and equipment.
The consent agenda included adoption of the 2026 assessment roll footings, establishment of county equalization rates, and designation of the county’s tourism promotion agency. Those items passed unanimously.
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