Highlights of the 9/15/26 Tompkins County Legislature meeting
Published on September 21, 2026
Topics included:
- County Minimum Wage Study report completed
- Housing target market analysis approved
- Fuel cost increases funded
- Code Blue planning underway
- Election Sticker Contest winner recognitions
- Hispanic Heritage Month proclamation
Legislature receives final Minimum Wage Study report
Researchers presented the findings of the Tompkins County Minimum Wage Study, concluding a months-long process that included public convenings, focus groups, stakeholder discussions, data analysis, and written public feedback. The legislature commissioned the study to examine the potential benefits, costs, and policy considerations of establishing a countywide minimum wage higher than the New York State minimum wage.
Researchers from the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab who produced the report said participants identified potential benefits including helping workers meet Tompkins County’s high cost of living, giving lower-wage workers greater financial stability, and increasing spending in the local economy. Concerns raised through the study included potential business closures or reduced economic activity, job losses, benefit cliffs, wage compression, and higher costs for employers competing with businesses outside the county.
The research team reported that academic studies have produced varying results on the employment effects of minimum-wage increases, with outcomes differing by industry and worker population. Researchers said tradable industries such as agriculture and manufacturing may face greater employment impacts, while some local service sectors could benefit from increased consumer spending. They also estimated that approximately 2% to 4% of households affected by a minimum-wage increase could experience a net income loss due to benefit cliffs.
If the county ultimately pursues a local minimum wage, researchers outlined several policy questions for legislators, including how to establish the wage level, whether and how to phase it in, how future increases would be calculated, and whether any categories of workers or employers would be exempted.
Legislator Mezey (D-Dryden) said the study gives the legislature a framework for continuing the discussion, including examining the legal authority for the county to act.
“There’s a lot of information to digest,” said Legislator Mezey. “I think we look to that list as sort of a roadmap approach to getting some of these questions answered.”
He said the Housing and Economic Development Committee could methodically examine the questions raised by the study and seek additional information about the legal landscape.
Legislator Hubbard (D-Ithaca City, Town) raised concerns about limitations in available wage data and uncertainty surrounding the economic impacts of a local minimum wage, including the potential effects on industries that can relocate outside the county.
“I appreciate the outreach to talk to people about how they feel, but frankly, I’m most interested in what would actually happen if we did this,” said Legislator Hubbard.
Legislator Bianconi (D-Ithaca Town) questioned why the county spent $50,000 on the study before determining whether it has legal authority to establish a local minimum wage, expressing concern that the public process could create an expectation that the county will ultimately enact one.
Legislature Chair Black (D-Ithaca Town) said the question of legal authority will be part of future discussions and noted that the county has been discussing living-wage and affordability issues for many years.
“Sometimes you have to be bold and do things that people in other places haven’t done before,” said Legislator Black.
No action was taken on establishing a local minimum wage. Chair Black said the legislature was not expected to vote on the issue that evening or likely during the remainder of 2026, with further consideration expected through the committee process.
County Attorney Maury Josephson later reported that pending federal litigation involving Instacart’s parent company and New York City’s minimum-payment law for delivery workers could provide additional information about the legal question of whether state law preempts local minimum-wage requirements.
Legislature approves housing target market analysis
Following an extended discussion, legislators voted to authorize the Department of Planning and Sustainability to use $25,000 already included in its 2026 budget for a housing target market analysis. The study will examine the countywide housing market while focusing more closely on a proposed new neighborhood in the Town of Ithaca.
Housing and Community Development Director David West said the analysis would examine what types of housing the market could support, how development could be phased, and how a planned neighborhood could move from a concept toward construction. The resulting data would belong to the county and could also inform future housing projects elsewhere.
Legislators debated whether spending the money was appropriate during a difficult budget year and whether the Town of Ithaca should contribute to the cost. Legislator Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) said he supported the purpose of the study but opposed using county funding when he sees fewer similar investments in Newfield and Enfield. Chair Black also questioned spending $25,000 on a study at a time when the county is examining reductions elsewhere.
Legislator Mezey argued that the money was already included in the 2026 budget and that the analysis could lower the cost of studying future development sites elsewhere in the county.
“The return on this investment, I think, far exceeds putting an additional $25,000 back into the county savings account to just sit there for a rainy day,” said Legislator Mezey.
The resolution passed 10-5, with Legislators Hubbard (D-Ithaca City, Town), Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden), Sigler (R-Lansing), Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield), and Black (D-Ithaca Town) opposed.
Additional funding approved for rising highway fuel costs
The legislature unanimously approved a $100,000 Contingent Fund appropriation to cover higher-than-budgeted Highway Department fuel expenses. Legislator Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden) noted that increased fuel prices could require another appropriation before the end of the year.
Code Blue planning underway for winter
County Administrator Korsah Akumfi reported that the county is preparing its Code Blue shelter plan following a significant reduction in State funding. Administration has been working with the Department of Social Services and Volunteers of America on changes to how services will be delivered to accommodate the reduced budget. Asked whether Code Blue services would again operate at Cherry Street this winter, Akumfi confirmed that they would.
Recognitions and proclamations
The legislature recognized the young artists whose designs were selected for the Tompkins County Board of Elections’ 2026 election stickers. Addie Miller and Fiona Beary, both fifth-grade students at Lansing Middle School, tied for first place in the “Future Voter” sticker contest. More than 800 public votes were cast to select the winning designs. The stickers will be distributed to young people accompanying voters to the polls during the 2026 general election. Leo Walsh, a homeschooled ninth-grade student, was recognized as the winner of the “I Voted” sticker contest. His design will be printed on 30,000 stickers for distribution to voters during the general election.
The legislature also proclaimed Sept. 15 through Oct. 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions of the local Hispanic community and events being organized by the Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County.
Other actions
The legislature unanimously approved its consent agenda, including scheduling a public hearing on a proposed local law extending the youth deer hunting pilot program, authorizing quitclaim deeds for properties sold through the county’s foreclosure auction, and adopting revised Water Resources Council bylaws. The legislature also approved appointments to the Public Information Advisory Board and Ethics Advisory Board.
Chair Black also reported on continued monthly meetings between county and City of Ithaca leadership, with recent discussions covering parking, Code Blue, TCAT, the budget, and the Community Justice Center.
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