Highlights of the 9/10/25 Expanded Budget Committee (EBC) meeting

Published on September 15, 2025

The following department and agency budgets were presented during this 2^nd EBC meeting:

Director Leo Riley and Deputy Director Kat McCarthy explained how changes in recycling markets, as measured by the Average Commodity Revenue (ACR), are affecting revenues. 2026 was budgeted at $80 per ton, but current-year projections point closer to $60 per ton, resulting in a shortfall of approximately $200,000 year over year. Proposed adjustments include raising the annual solid waste unit fee from $82 to $85 (roughly $195,000 in added revenue), increasing the per-ton disposal fee from $106 to $110 (roughly $70,000), increasing the tire disposal fee from $300 to $350 (roughly $6,000), and adding $25,000 to the department’s equipment reserve. Staffing costs increase by approximately $86,000; two part-time roles (solid waste code enforcement and a grant-funded driver) continue from 2025, and one new part-time project assistant is proposed for 2026. The Administrator’s Recommended Budget did not make any changes to the submitted budget.

Legislator Rich John (D-Ithaca City) asked whether the county should create a reserve to buffer ACR volatility. Staff agreed that a smoothing reserve could be useful and would return with more information.

Human Resources

Human Resources Commissioner Ruby Pulliam’s request to replace two legacy recruitment systems with NEOGOV is supported in the Recommended Budget ($23,035). The County Administrator proposed a $7,000 reduction in computer equipment and did not fully support the maintenance of effort request for 1.4 FTE ($69,540). A requested $20,494 increase to the countywide travel and training fund was also not supported. Pulliam said it will continue prioritizing multi-department and countywide requests within existing funds. Legislator Amanda Champion (D-Ithaca Town) asked clarifying questions about the difference between travel and training versus “in-service” training funds.

Information Technology Services

Director Loren Cottrell requested two systems analyst positions to restore capacity; one position is supported in the Recommended Budget. Cottrell also requested an additional $11,000 for specialized training to keep pace with security and infrastructure professional development needs (not supported). Legislator Randy Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) asked about a new $187,000 federal-aid line. Cottrell explained that remaining ARPA funds would be applied to Microsoft 365 licensing. Legislator Shawna Black (D-Ithaca Town) asked about recruiting for the supported position. Staff said they would likely promote internally and backfill at the entry level. Legislator Deborah Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) encouraged planning for cybersecurity training for incoming legislators. Legislator Lee Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing) suggested evaluating temporary or capital-program funding to support countywide IT work tied to large projects.

Finance

Director of Finance Darrell Tuttle noted the following maintenance-of-effort items are supported in the Recommended Budget: (1) moving the eFinancePlus accounting system to the cloud (vendor CentralSquare), including version upgrades and added licenses; (2) continuing the DebtBook lease reporting software to meet GASB 87/96 requirements; (3) covering UKG payroll processing overages tied to countywide growth; and (4) a purchasing specialist ($94,310 - supported) and adding a DebtBook cash-management module ($41,000 supported). Requests not supported due to fiscal constraints include three new positions (an accountant for Treasury, an accountant and a principal account clerk for Accounting) and a proposal to allocate a portion of interest earnings to the Finance department. Legislators asked about staffing needs, audit timing, and interest revenue distribution.

Ithaca Area Economic Development (IAED)

Director of Operations Kurt Anderson discussed workforce and local labor requirements attached to industrial development incentives. IAED highlighted a 75% local-labor requirement adopted in 2023 for projects receiving incentives and described new third-party compliance monitoring based in Rochester that performs on-site checks at project sites. Legislator Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca City) asked about the 75% goal. Staff confirmed the threshold applies to new projects and that older projects report but are not bound by the newer standard. IAED did not request any enhancements to its budget.

The next EBC meeting is scheduled for Thursday, 9/11 at 5 pm at the Legislature Chambers and will be livestreamed.