Highlights of the 9/18/25 Expanded Budget Committee (EBC) meeting

Published on September 23, 2025

The following department budgets were presented during this 5th EBC meeting:

Sheriff Derek Osborne oversees two departmental budgets – the Road Patrol and Civil Division, as well as the Corrections Department. Together with Undersheriff Jennifer Olin he presented an overview of law enforcement and jail operations, described steady staffing levels for 2026, and emphasized the county’s Crisis Alternative Response & Engagement (C.A.R.E.) teams—pairing a deputy with a mental health clinician—as a continuing priority, with one team moving from pilot to permanent funding while the other remains in the pilot phase. Both teams were supported in the Administrator’s Recommended Budget ($268,708). The Sheriff also requested a new boat for marine patrol on Cayuga Lake to replace a 2004 vessel with continuous maintenance issues. The cost of a new boat, factoring in revenues from state reimbursement, was also included in the Recommended Budget, if additional revenue can be obtained to support the local share of $58,363.

The Sheriff noted as his priority two additional corrections officer positions ($165,590) to meet increased requirements for the HALT (Humane Alternatives to Long-Term Solitary Confinement) Act, expansion of the MAT (Medication-Assisted Treatment) program, and the maintenance of the CAP (Centralized Arraignment Part) program. This was not supported in the Recommended Budget; a food service contract for the Corrections division was ($87,912). The Recommended Budget further included approximately $27,000 in reductions for equipment, ammunition, and supplies.

Legislator Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca Town) asked about the department’s vehicle replacement schedule and the practicality of alternative-fuel patrol vehicles. Legislator Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) raised juvenile supervision and staffing impacts. Legislator Lane (D-Dryden) asked about contracted jail food service.

Emergency Response

Director Mike Stitley, Deputy Director Jessica Verfuss, and Assistant Director-911 John Halaychik described growth in workload and partner needs, the county’s peer-support/critical incident stress management effort for responders and staff, and a potential 40% reduction in federal grant funding.

The Recommended Budget included $628,351 for a county-wide security program (+4.5 FTE) and a $384,652 tax levy request to support the current level of the rapid medical response program, which is partially supported by a grant this year. Enhancement requests that were not supported included two additional emergency services dispatchers, one additional CAD system specialist, and a new peer support coordinator position, as well as additional training, overtime, clothing, and program expenses.

In support of the enhancements requested by the department, Halaychik noted the high 911 call volume (18-25%) and that minimum staffing has not increased since 2004. Stitley stated that the CAD specialist position was requested by the Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG) and is supported by the Information Technology Services department to address deficiencies in 911 addressing. Staff cited suicide statistics of first responders, traumatic work incidents, and employee burnout in support of the peer support coordinator position. Verfuss noted that mandated training needs continue to grow, and the proposed reduction from $400/person to $69/person is insufficient to fund necessary training, such as active shooter and mental health diversion protocols.

Legislators asked about how shared services provided by the county are costed to outside partners, the history of standardizing countywide radio equipment, and the decline in the state-controlled 911 surcharge.

Office for the Aging

Director Lisa Monroe outlined programs that assist older adults and persons with long-term care needs to live independently in their homes and communities with quality of life and dignity. Monroe highlighted several budget adjustments the department made to reduce expenditures that led to a budget reduction of $140,000 without impact on direct service delivery. In addition, she noted an expected $23,000 increase in program revenue. Monroe did not request any enhancements but cautioned that the impending office relocation to Lansing might lead to expenses that are currently not anticipated.

Legislator Randy Brown (R-Newfield, Enfield) asked about the department’s downtown accessibility during relocation; staff described potential partners to preserve in-person services during peak HEAP and Medicare counseling seasons. Legislator Koreman (D-Ulysses, Enfield, Ithaca Town) asked about transportation support for clients to get to the new Lansing location.

Youth Services

Director Kate Shanks-Booth and Deputy Director Theresa Albert described the Continuum of Care (CoC) approach with a focus on early intervention and how the department stretches local dollars further by leveraging municipal and partner funding. The request for a new coordinator of community youth services position ($112,124) to return to 2020 staffing levels, $30,000 for the urban outreach program (two-year funding approved), and a 3% increase for rising operating costs to funded agencies and municipal partners ($26,954) was not supported in the Recommended Budget.

Legislators discussed the intermunicipal Recreation Partnership increase (County share up to about $107,000 under the five-year agreement), which the Administrator recommended.

Workforce Development

Director Chris Sponn and Deputy Director, Workforce Development Board, Diane Achilles outlined Workforce Development’s role connecting jobseekers - youth and adults - to employment, education, training, and supportive services through the Tompkins Workforce New York Career Center on the Commons. Sponn also noted its statutory obligations under federal and state workforce law, including maintaining a comprehensive career center co-located with the New York State Department of Labor, meaning many core expenses are tied to required services rather than optional programming. Sponn explained how positions were consolidated and where vacancies remain (including a communications specialist) to better match program needs. On enhancements, the department requested to continue a transition workforce specialist focused on youth services. That position, now in its second year, was included in the Administrator’s Recommended Budget. Discussion centered on the administrator’s recommendation to use approximately $592,000 from the Community Development (CD) fund balance for the county share that supports the department.

Legislator Deborah Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) questioned the size and source of the CD fund balance and the practice of using reserves for operating costs. Legislator Lee Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing) asked about long-term implications when the one-time support is gone. County Administration explained that the CD fund balance has built up over the years from prior transfers and unspent allocations and outlined work underway with the department to make operations more self-sustaining through more accurate cost allocation and use of reinvestment opportunities.

Airport

Director Roxan Noble and Deputy Director Josh Nalley presented the airport’s strategy to lower airline costs and grow service following completion of a strategic business plan. They reported strong load factors and described how “cost per enplanement” (CPE) influences airline decisions. $1.971 million in local support is requested to hold CPE down to make the airport more attractive to airlines (targeting ~$15 versus ~$30 this year); without it, staff estimate CPE could approach $40, which could jeopardize existing service and the ability to attract new routes. The Recommended Budget reflects this local support that is proposed to come from the following sources: $1.1 million in additional sales tax revenue anticipated from short-term rentals, $500,000 from room tax revenue, and $371,000 from the tax levy.

Legislators Dan Nolan (D-Ithaca City) and Deborah Dawson (D-Lansing, Cayuga Heights) questioned the size and risk of the local support request. Legislator Shawna Black (D-Ithaca Town) pressed on long-term sustainability for taxpayers and requested the market study. Legislators also asked about non-airline revenue, fund balance trends, and use of passenger facility charges for capital local shares.

Next EBC meeting

The next EBC meeting is scheduled for September 25 with the following department presentations (subject to change): Social Services, Whole Health, Assessment, Tompkins County Public Library, County Attorney, and County Administration (including Human Rights). The meeting starts at 5 pm and will be livestreamed.

2026 Budget Forum planned for September 30

The Tompkins County Legislature invites members of the community to a public forum regarding the 2026 budget. The forum will include a brief update on the budget’s development and the opportunity for community members from all backgrounds, identities, and experiences to comment on and ask questions about the budget. The county values the community’s input.

The forum will take place at the Tompkins County Legislature Chambers, 121 East Court Street, Ithaca, on Tuesday, September 30 at 5:30 pm. Members of the public are invited to attend in person or virtually; if attending virtually, pre-register to get the Zoom link. Each attendee will have up to three minutes to provide a comment.

Those unable to attend the public forum may provide written feedback on the community engagement portal.

The public is encouraged to review the highlights of the county administrator’s 2026 recommended budget presentation, as well as the digital budget book, where one can browse the departments, agencies, and projects supported by the county.