Highlights of the 8/5/25 Tompkins County Legislature Meeting
Published on August 08, 2025
Legislature pledges to keep the Board of Elections in Ithaca, authorizes purchase of Lansing property for relocation of other county departments
Legislators approved an amendment to a resolution authorizing the acquisition of 31 Dutch Mill Road in the Town of Lansing for the temporary relocation of county departments during the Center of Government project. The amended resolution does not identify specific departments to be relocated to the site. Instead, it requires county administration to bring forward a separate resolution for the legislature’s consideration that names the departments to be relocated. The resolution also expressly states that the Board of Elections will stay within the City of Ithaca. County administration released a public statement to that effect earlier in the day. During the public comment period, several community members spoke on behalf of the Board of Elections remaining in the city.
The amendment to Legislator Lee Shurtleff’s (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing) original resolution was introduced by Legislator Greg Mezey (D-Dryden) and passed in a 12:2 vote, with legislators Shawna Black (D-Ithaca) and Randy Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) opposed. The amended resolution was approved in a 9:5 vote, with legislators Shawna Black, Rich John (D-Ithaca), Travis Brooks (D-Ithaca), Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca), and Mike Sigler (R-Lansing) opposed.
Legislators who didn’t support this resolution cited concerns about not knowing which departments will move to this new location.
“If public-facing departments are in discussion, it doesn’t make sense,” commented Legislator Brooks.
Legislator Mezey stated that it is up to the legislature to vote on the departments that are slated to move and that the county should make that decision based on “how it impacts service delivery and what’s in the best interest of the county.” Chair of the Legislature Dan Klein (D-Danby, Caroline, Ithaca) and County Administrator Korsah Akumfi stated that the impacted departments will be announced within the next week.
Other legislators felt the urgency to keep up the momentum of this project.
“If we don’t move forward in the next couple of months, this project is not going to happen,” cautioned Amanda Champion (D-Ithaca).
County and City of Ithaca to collaborate on serving unhoused individuals
The legislature unanimously authorized the county administrator and the Department of Social Services to finalize negotiations on a space that would co-locate the county’s Code Blue shelter and the city’s proposed homeless services navigation hub for unhoused individuals. Both the city and county recognize the benefits of providing multiple services in one location, directly accessible to the same population experiencing homelessness and seeking supportive services. Along with community partners, the city would operate and staff the navigation hub during weekdays, while the county would utilize the building evenings, overnight, and weekends for its Code Blue shelter. Legislators John and Klein voiced “optimism that this collaboration would improve the lives of unhoused individuals.”
County seeks community input on Center of Government design options
The Downtown Facilities Committee reported that at a public meeting last week, consultants presented design options for the Center of Government (COG) project based on the feedback received from stakeholders and residents in the first round of community meetings. The presentation also included results of a visitor study that revealed that the COG departments receive, on average, 20 visitors per day who drive to receive county services. A subsequent parking study concluded that, in addition to the Seneca and Green Street parking garages, there are approximately 800 free on-street parking spaces within a 10-minute walking radius of the proposed COG site.
The county is currently soliciting public feedback on the presented design options in a new survey at tcgov.co/cogsurvey. Residents can weigh in on design styles, building materials, amenities, and sustainability features. The feedback will inform the next design iterations that will be presented in September.
Other Business
A public hearing will be held at the County Legislature meeting on September 2, 2025 at 5:30 pm in Legislative Chambers at 121 East Court Street in Ithaca for the 2025 NYS Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) Assistance, an important source of funding to address community development objectives in the county.
Finance director Darrel Tuttle reported that, as of June 2025, sales tax revenue is on par with the budgeted amount.
Tompkins County proclaimed July 25, 2025 as the 50th Anniversary Celebration of the Tompkins County Office for the Aging, recognizing the contributions of older adults and the essential service provided by the Office for the Aging, which benefit not only seniors but the entire community. Lisa Monroe, director of the Office for the Aging, accepted the proclamation and “is looking forward to the next 50 years of continued service to the community.”
The Community Arts Partnership (CAP) has selected a new Poet Laureate to follow Dan Rosenberg, who moved out of the community. CAP director Megan Barber introduced Nicole Basta, who read the poem ‘Poetry never stood a chance standing outside of history.’
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