Highlights from the September 12, 2024 Meeting of the Tompkins County Expanded Budget Committee

Tuesday, September 17, 2024

Understanding the 2025 Recommended Tompkins County Budget

• The recommended 2025 Tompkins County Budgetwas prepared by the County Administrator and delivered to the Legislature on September 3. The recommended budget totals $252.3M, with revenues made up primarily of local property taxes (levy), sales tax receipts, and State and federal funding.
• The proposed total property tax levy is $55.7M, which is $2.3M, or 4.34%, higher than 2024. If passed, this would result in a $138 increase in the property tax bill for the owner of a median-priced ($300,000) home.
• Departmental and agency budgets can be found in the 2025 Recommended Budgetor in the links in the title of each section below.
• As part of this budget development process all departments and funded not-for-profit agencies were asked to submit a budget with a 5% reduction due to cost increases and constraintson available funds for one-time use.
• Departments and agencies can make over-target requests as part of the budget process, which they detail during presentations to the Expanded Budget Committee. Over-target requests are detailed in departmental and agency budgets in the online budget system (links above and below). Some over-target requests are included in the recommended budget, others are made for the Legislature to consider when voting on the budget.
• Highlights below focus on the over-target requests or significant changes proposed by departments and agencies during the budget process.
• For more detail, read the County Administrator's 2025 Budget Message.

Department of Planning & Sustainability

The Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability presented its 2025 budget. A majority of the department's expenses are to cover staffing, the 5% reduction budget would include the downgrading of one position. Staff cited the expected outcomes of reduced department function and flexibility and potential negative impact to outside agencies.

Over target requests were made to restore cuts in the areas of personnel and operational expenses. Department staff stated that maintaining the pay grade of a planning administrator position ($11,037 difference from the 5% cut) is their top priority. Funds to maintain the department's ability to conduct time-sensitive studies, hire grant-writing support, and to host a state-wide conference were also requested. The County would no longer be voting members of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization without the ability to cover dues under this 5% cut budget. No over-target requests are recommended in the 2025 budget.

Tompkins County Tourism Program

Staff from the Tompkins County Department of Planning and Sustainability, which manages the Tourism Program, stated that there is a slight decrease in expected revenue for 2025 reflected in the budget. The program is funded by Hotel Occupancy Room Tax.

New programs being funded as part of the budget moving forward are the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport ($100,000 for marketing support) and the GIAC Hospitality Employment Training Program ($50,000).

There are no over-target requests, as all funding comes from room tax revenue.

Legislator Rich John (D-Ithaca) inquired about why revenue is slated to remain flat or decrease even though the Downtown Ithaca Conference Center opened recently which is designed to increase mid-week hotel stays. Staff responded that there is a ramp-up period, and bookings have not yet been strong as is normal coming out of a construction period before opening for these types of facilities.

Transportation Planning

Transportation Planning, a division budget housed under the Department of Planning and Sustainability, presented its budget and an over-target request of $85,000 for discretionary support for Gadabout. The over-target request was not recommended because the impact may be limited by Gadabout's new access to additional federal funds to cover some expenses. Gadabout staff expressed concern that they have a deficit that still needs funding support to overcome.

The division processes State and federal funds for local transportation agencies. The local budget is 10% local match to State and federal funds.

Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit

Tompkins County supports TCAT (Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit) through its budget as an underwriter (with the City of Ithaca and Cornell University).

A $123,017 over-target request was made and is recommended for one-third of the local share (10%) of costs for a roof replacement and concrete work at its garage facility. The other two-thirds would be covered by the other underwriters.

Recycling and Materials Management

Tompkins County Recycling and Materials Management presented its 2025 Budget, encompassing eight programs managing recycling and solid waste in Tompkins County. Staff reported that the approach to budgeting is based on the Rethinking Waste in Tompkins County Plan and customer feedback. The department is an enterprise fund, with revenues from a fee levied on property owners and facility users. The department cited an increase in expenses for 2025 of around $500,000.

The Solid Waste Fee, paid by property owners is set to increase by $2, to $82 per unit per year. Single family homes pay as one unit.

The History Center

The History Center's 5% cut from County funding support totals $2,447.

Highway Department

The Tompkins County Highway Department budget would see a reduction of $175,000 in highway materials due to the proposed 5% cut. A recommended over-target request would fund software critical to operations for $30,000.

The Tompkins County Weights and Measures Division, part of the Highway Department, presented their budget and a 5% cut of $5,274.

Facilities Department

The Tompkins County Facilities Department would see a $162,321 reduction in its budget with a 5% cut. Costs would be saved in the areas of service contracts, building repair and maintenance, and supplies.

One recommended over-target request was made to continue funding the department's project manager position. The $121,000 cost for the position funds staff time to manage projects including the Center of Government, Green Facilities, and the potential Public Safety Building development process.

Ithaca Tompkins International Airport

The Ithaca Tompkins International Airport continues to request a subsidy from the Legislature's budget process to cover a portion of its debt service and operating expenses. The Airport proposed cutting equipment, maintenance, office supplies, materials, and travel and training expenses.

A recommended over-target request, the last year of a three-year request, would support operations and debt service to the tune of $641,713.