Archive: News

The Tompkins County Legislature tonight invited comment on the 2015 Recommended County Budget and the Capital Plan for the next five years, as amended by the Legislature.

Monday's hearing lasted less than 15 minutes, most of that involving a review of the budget process and the basics of the budget.

The $180.8 million amended budget, with $83.5 million in local dollar spending would increase the County tax levy by 2.5% and decrease the countywide average tax rate by 0.45%.  The recommended tax rate of $6.86 per thousand is about a penny higher than in the Administrator's budget, representing an increase of $8.67 for the median-valued $165,000 home.  Since the increase would be below the adjusted 3.14% State property tax cap, the amount would be returned to the homeowner under the new property tax freeze law.  For 2015, the County solid waste fee would also decrease by $4.00, to $52.00 per household.

Budget chairman Jim Dennis, who has led the Expanded Budget Committee review process over the past two months, noted the budget's use of reserves has decreased by more than $26,000, leaving the County well within its budget reserve target of over 10%.

County Administrator Joe Mareane said the goal in this year's budget process "was not to grow but to maintain what we currently have," and that over the past few years the County has been able to build a firm financial foundation.  "The Legislature's commitment to maintain service and its commitment to the services we provide is very important," he said.

The only person to speak at the hearing was Nancy Burston, Assistant Director of the Human Services Coalition of Tompkins County, who expressed appreciation to both Legislators and County Administration staff for their time and effort throughout the 2015 budget process.

The Legislature can further amend the budget before final passage. The adoption vote is scheduled for the Legislature's next meeting on Tuesday, November 18, which begins at 5:30 p.m. at Legislative Chambers at the Governor Daniel D. Tompkins Building (second floor), 121 E. Court Street, Ithaca.

v10i43