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11-25-2008	Probation Program Supports “Cops, Kids and Toys”
	The Service Work Alternative Program, a supervised community service program operated by the Tompkins County Department of Probation and Community Justice, has played a key role in efforts leading to ...

11-24-2008	Become a Winter SKYWARN Spotter
	Tompkins County’s Department of Emergency Response is sponsoring a National Weather Service Winter SKYWARN Spotter Course. The session will take place on Thursday, December 4, beginning at 7:00 p.m. ...

11-21-2008	Highway Division Winter Road Safety Reminder
	The snow season is upon us. The Tompkins County Highway Division reminds residents to slow down and adjust their speed to road conditions. New York State Department of Transportation (NYSDOT) is ...

11-21-2008	Council Opposes State Cost-Shifts to Local Governments
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG), of which Tompkins County government is a member, has gone on record urging New York State not to address its fiscal crisis by shifting the costs of ...

11-18-2008	Legislature Adopts 2009 County Budget
	The Tompkins County Legislature tonight adopted a 2009 Tompkins County Budget, concluding ten weeks of deliberations toward the 2009 spending plan. The budget, nearly unchanged from the tentative ...

11-18-2008	Legislature Supports Two TC3 Capital Projects
	The Legislature provided official endorsement for two proposed Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) projects, those commitments needed to lock in anticipated 50 percent State funding support. ...

11-18-2008	Tom Arleo is November Distinguished Youth
	The Legislature recognized 15-year-old Tom Arleo, of Lansing, as November’s Distinguished Youth. Arleo was nominated by Commissioners Elizabeth Cree and Steve DeWitt, who praised him especially for ...

11-10-2008	Legislature Takes Comment on 2009 Tentative Budget
	Turnout was light and comments generally favorable, as the Legislature tonight invited public content on the proposed 2009 County budget. But speakers also suggested that more needs to be done in ...

11-08-2008	Public Hearing on 2009 County Budget Monday, November 10
	The County Legislature invites county residents to comment on the County’s proposed 2009 budget at a public budget hearing to be held Monday, November 10. The hearing will begin at 7:00 p.m. at ...

11-07-2008	Support Session Offered for Laid-Off Borg Warner Employees
	On Monday, November 10, Tompkins Workforce New York will cosponsor a job fair and workshops to assist local Borg Warner employees affected by recent layoffs. The event, entitled “Surviving a Layoff ...

11-07-2008	AES-Cayuga Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement Approved
	The County’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) today gave final approval to a 20-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with Lansing’s AES-Cayuga power generating facility. The approved ...

11-05-2008	Legislature Briefed on State Budget Process
	At his first Legislature meeting as County Administrator, Joe Mareane updated Legislators on when the State will begin to address a projected $2 billion budget gap for the current fiscal year, a ...

11-05-2008	Legislators Honor Former Chair “Sam” MacNeil
	County Legislators observed a moment of silence to honor Hugh “Sam” MacNeil, who passed away October 30. Mr. MacNeil represented the Town of Ithaca (R-District 12) on the county Board of ...

11-05-2008	State Provides Funding for New Community Treatment Facility
	The Legislature, without dissent (Legislators Mike Sigler and Tyke Randall were absent), approved an adjustment to the Mental Health Services budget which incorporates more than $350,000 in state ...

10-28-2008	Joe Mareane Begins Service as County Administrator
	As of today, Joe Mareane is officially on board as Tompkins County’s County Administrator. Administrator Mareane (pronounced “mar-ee-ANN-na”) began work with the County last week (in an overlap ...

10-27-2008	Health Department Flu Clinics - Danby Clinic Added
	Tompkins County Health Department will hold eleven public flu immunization clinics from October 22 through November 6. The Department is now making appointments for each of the clinics. Walk-ins are ...

10-24-2008	Tompkins County Celebrates Completion of Public Safety Communications System
	More than a decade after planning began and more than two years after breaking ground, Tompkins County today marked completion of its new Public Safety Communications System, a state-of-the-art ...

10-24-2008	Travelers Advised to Seek Alternate Transportation to Airport This Weekend
	An advisory from Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport: Due to unusually high levels of passenger traffic at the airport, the long-term parking lot was full as of Friday morning, October 24. Few ...

10-22-2008	Route 96 Corridor Study Public Meeting – October 28th
	The Tompkins County Planning Department will be holding a public meeting to discuss the transportation impact analysis findings and strategy recommendations for the Route 96 corridor study area that ...

10-21-2008	Legislature Adopts 2009 Budget Amendments
	The Legislature, by a vote of 11-4, adopted amendments to the 2009 Tompkins County tentative budget, as recommended by its Expanded Budget Committee. Legislators Dooley Kiefer, Mike Sigler, Will ...

10-21-2008	Recognition and Thanks for Retiring Administrator Steve Whicher
	On the occasion of his final Legislature meeting, retiring County Administrator Steve Whicher was recognized for his many contributions to the County over 18 years with Tompkins County and seven as ...

10-20-2008	Recommended Amended Budget Would Meet 3 Percent Levy Goal
	The County Legislature will consider recommended amendments to the County’s 2009 tentative budget that would meet the Legislature’s 2009 3 percent tax levy increase goal and maintain the County’s ...

10-16-2008	Latest Expanded Budget Session Produces Few Changes
	In what is expected to be their next-to-last day of committee deliberations, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee on Wednesday debated several proposals, but made only one recommended ...

10-14-2008	Budget Committee Review Begins to Wind Down
	At the final session designated to propose new modifications to the tentative County budget, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee tonight recommended no changes that would affect the ...

10-07-2008	Legislature Takes Compromise Stand on Lake Monitoring Program
	In what was described as a much-discussed compromise proposal, the Legislature, by unanimous vote endorsed efforts undertaken through the County’s Water Resources Council (WRC) to develop a ...

10-07-2008	Contingency Funds Approved for OAR Bail Fund
	By a vote of 10 to 3, the Legislature approved a $10,000 in contingency funding to increase the revolving bail fund for the agency Opportunities, Alternatives and Resources (OAR.) (Legislators Mike ...

10-07-2008	Legislature Supports Temporary Increase in Federal Medicaid Share
	The Legislature, without dissent, urged the state’s congressional delegation to support an increase in the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage, to provide state taxpayers property tax relief ...

10-06-2008	Workforce Development, Facilities Funding Restored in Latest Budget Session
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee spent their third voting session recommending modifications to the 2009 Tentative County Budget. Tonight’s only actions which would affect the tax ...

10-03-2008	Learn How to Become a SKYWARN Spotter
	Tompkins County’s Department of Emergency Response is sponsoring a National Weather Service SKYWARN Spotter Course. The session will take place on Wednesday, November 5, beginning at 7:00 p.m. at ...

10-01-2008	An Opportunity to Serve on the Tompkins County Board of Health
	The Tompkins County Board of Health (BOH) anticipates a vacancy beginning January 1, 2009. This vacancy is for a consumer (non-physician) seat. A consumer can be someone who has actually received ...

09-30-2008	Adjustments Recommended in Library Funding as 2009 Budget Review Continues
	In their second night of voting on modifications to the County Administrator’s recommended 2009 County Budget, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee recommended funding to continue ...

09-29-2008	Legislators Begin Recommending Changes to 2009 Proposed Budget
	Three weeks after receiving County Administrator Steve Whicher’s recommendations, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee began to vote on recommended changes to the tentative budget. The ...

09-26-2008	Personnel Department Recognized for Commitment to Disability Employment
	The Tompkins County Personnel Department has been recognized for its efforts to provide opportunities for and to accommodate individuals with disabilities. The award, presented earlier this month ...

09-26-2008	Health Department Sponsors Fall Rabies Clinics
	The Tompkins County Health Department announces our fall series of Free Rabies Clinics for cats, dogs and ferrets. All clinics are from 7:00 to 9:00 PM. Remaining clinics this season are as ...

09-23-2008	County “Go Green Initiative” Wins National Recognition
	Tompkins County is being honored as the nation’s first-ever Go Green County of the Year, in recognition of the Solid Waste Management Division’s innovation and success with its Go Green Initiative ...

09-23-2008	Final 2009 Budget Presentations Before Voting Begins
	County legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee reviewed the final round of department and agency budget requests, as they concluded the presentation stage of the County’s 2009 budget ...

09-22-2008	Citizens Speak Out at Community Budget Forum
	Citizens had a chance tonight to learn about the proposed 2009 Tompkins County Budget and to voice their opinions to county legislators. Nearly 30 people attended the forum, held at the Tompkins ...

09-18-2008	Community Invited to Annual Budget Forum
	Tompkins County residents can learn about the 2009 Tompkins County tentative budget and voice their concerns to Legislators at the annual Community Budget Forum, sponsored by the Tompkins County ...

09-17-2008	Strategic Tourism Planning Board Announces Grants Workshop
	On Tuesday, September 23rd there will be a workshop on the Fall 2008 Tompkins County Tourism Grant Programs. The workshop will take place from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the Tompkins County Chamber of ...

09-16-2008	2009 Budget Hearing Scheduled
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, scheduled the formal public hearing on the 2009 Tompkins County Tentative Budget and the 2009-2013 Capital Program. (Legislator Tyke Randall was absent.) The ...

09-16-2008	Reduced State Support Mentioned, as Legislature Accepts Grant Awards
	The Legislature, without dissent, accepted two State grants, and agreed to serve as administrator for a third grant-funded program, but some legislators criticized the State’s pull-back of support ...

09-16-2008	Classification Change Approved for County Administration Position
	The Legislature, by a vote of 10-4, authorized an increase in salary for the position of Executive Assistant in County Administration. The action increases the salary for the exempt position above ...

09-15-2008	September is National Preparedness Month
	All emergencies start locally and end locally no matter how many outside resources are made available in between. As citizens, we all have a role to play in keeping our families, neighbors and ...

09-15-2008	Review Continues Toward 2009 County Budget
	In their third night of review, County Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee reviewed seven more 2009 budget requests. Taken up were proposals from the Probation Department, Tompkins ...

09-11-2008	State Aid Cuts Discussed, as 2009 Budget Review Continues
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee reviewed eight more requests Wednesday, in its second night of work toward a 2009 Tompkins County Budget. Administrator Steve Whicher’s ...

09-11-2008	Airport Drill on Saturday, September 13
	From David Crawford, Fire Chief, Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport: On the morning of Saturday September 13, 2008 the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport in conjunction with neighboring mutual aid ...

09-10-2008	Citizens Invited to Help Shape Future Energy Policy at Upcoming Public Meetings
	The Tompkins County Community is invited to weigh in on the proposed policies and actions of the draft Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element to the County Comprehensive Plan. The Tompkins ...

09-09-2008	County Legislators Begin 2009 Budget Review
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee on Monday were guided through an initial run-through of County Administrator Steve Whicher’s recommended 2009 County Budget. The formal ...

09-08-2008	Administrator’s Final Budget Meets Three Percent Levy Goal for 2009
	Tompkins County Administrator Steve Whicher has delivered to the County Legislature his final recommended budget, a 2009 Tentative County Budget that meets the Legislature’s goal of a tax levy ...

09-08-2008	Operations Delays at Tompkins County Solid Waste
	ATTENTION DELAYS IN OPERATIONS The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division would like to bring to residents'attention that the scales will be serviced on Tuesday, September 9th and ...

09-05-2008	County IDA Recommends Payment in Lieu of Taxes Agreement for AES-Cayuga
	Tompkins County’s Industrial Development Agency (IDA) today provided initial endorsement for a proposed 20-year Payment in Lieu of Taxes (PILOT) agreement with AES-Cayuga, a proposal under ...

09-02-2008	Legislature Expresses Official Intent to Pursue Joint Lifelong-Aging Office Facility
	By a vote of 13-1, the Legislature approved a resolution of intent to cooperate with Lifelong to develop a joint facility which would house both the Lifelong agency and the County’s Office for the ...

09-02-2008	Local Law Approved Regarding County Clerk’s Documents
	The Legislature approved a new local law to enhance personal privacy for documents recorded in the County Clerk’s Office and also authorizes an increase in fees for the recording of documents by the ...

09-02-2008	Study Recommends Construction of Records Storage Facility
	A Tompkins County Records Master Plan, prepared on behalf of the County, recommends construction of a metal storage building at the County’s Public Works headquarters on Bostwick Road to meet the ...

08-26-2008	Registration and Voting for College Students
	United States citizens who will be 18 on or before Election Day (November 4, 2008) can register to vote. College students in New York State who go to school in a county different than their home ...

08-26-2008	Assist Seniors Through Project CARE
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging needs volunteers to assist homebound senior citizens through the Project CARE Program. Volunteers typically visit an individual once a week for about 1-2 ...

08-19-2008	Joe Mareane Appointed County Administrator
	The Tompkins County Legislature tonight made it official, by unanimous vote appointing Joe Mareane as the County’s next County Administrator. Mareane, currently Chief Fiscal Officer for Onondaga ...

08-19-2008	Legislature Holds Hearing on Proposed Acquisition of Enfield Communications Site
	The Legislature conducted a more than half-hour-long public hearing to inform the public and to review the public use to be served by proposed acquisition of property for the County’s emergency ...

08-19-2008	Cortland McLean Road Bridge Project Moves Forward
	The Legislature, without dissent, awarded Economy Paving Company, Inc. of Cortland the contract for replacement of the School Street bridge on County Road 105, Cortland-McLean Road, for its bid of ...

08-18-2008	County Awarded Two State Records Management Grants
	The New York State Archives has awarded Tompkins County two records management grants, totaling more than $130,000, as part of the latest round of its Local Government Records Management Improvement ...

08-15-2008	County Administrator Recommends Study of Indigent Defense Services
	In light of significantly increased local costs, County Administrator Steve Whicher recommends Tompkins County take a hard look next year at how it fulfills the County’s mandated responsibility to ...

08-15-2008	Volunteers Needed: 2008 Airport Disaster Drill
	On Saturday September 13th, the Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport will conduct its triennial disaster drill, mandated by the Federal Aviation Administration. The airport needs volunteers to serve as ...

08-13-2008	Powerful Tools for Caregivers
	Powerful Tools for Caregivers, a six-week educational program designed to provide caregivers the tools needed for taking care of themselves, will be offered by the Tompkins County Office for the ...

08-12-2008	Look for Your Yellow Mailcheck Card
	On August 12 every registered voter in Tompkins County is being mailed a yellow post card. This “Mailcheck” card helps ensure that the Board of Elections has accurate and up-to-date information about ...

08-11-2008	Joe Mareane Accepts Position of Tompkins County Administrator
	Joe C. Mareane, currently Chief Fiscal Officer for Onondaga County, has accepted Tompkins County’s offer of employment to become the County’s next County Administrator. Mareane’s selection is ...

08-05-2008	Patricia Buechel Confirmed as New Probation Director
	County Administrator Steve Whicher has appointed Patricia Buechel as Tompkins County’s Director of Probation and Community Justice. The Legislature tonight confirmed the appointment by unanimous ...

08-05-2008	Funds Approved for Elections Lease
	Following up on its approval last month to enter into a five-year lease for space in the former ICS Press building in Dryden to house the County’s new electronic voting machines, the Legislature, by ...

08-05-2008	Legislature Conducts Budget Retreat
	The Tompkins County Legislature tonight conducted an informal budget retreat as part of the 2009 County Budget process. At the retreat, County Administrator Steve Whicher reported that most County ...

07-23-2008	Introduction to Alzheimer’s for Caring Relatives
	A free workshop for persons concerned about a relative or friend with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder is being held Tuesday, July 29, Noon – 1:30 PM at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, ...

07-18-2008	Feasibility Study Presented on Possible Joint Lifelong/Aging Office Facility
	Results of a three-month-long feasibility study investigating possible joint facilities for Lifelong and the County Office for the Aging (COFA) were presented Thursday afternoon to two committees of ...

07-15-2008	County to Lease Space for New Voting Machines
	The County will lease the former ICS Press building, located on Hanshaw Road in the Town of Dryden, to house the County’s new electronic voting machines. The Legislature, by unanimous vote, ...

07-15-2008	Legislature Extends Exemption for Solar Energy Systems
	A local tax exemption on residential solar energy systems, which has been in effect since 2005, will become permanent. The Legislature, by a vote of 12 to 2, voted to permanently exempt ...

07-15-2008	Public Hearing Scheduled on Proposed Acquisition of Enfield Emergency Communications Tower Site
	Citing ongoing problems with access to leased premises in the Town of Enfield upon which the County constructed a telecommunications facility as part of the County’s new public safety communications ...

07-03-2008	Continental Airlines Expected to Begin Ithaca Service This Fall
	In what he characterized as a “very preliminary, surprise announcement,” the chair of the County’s Air Service Board announced to the Legislature tonight that Continental Airlines plans to add new ...

07-01-2008	Legislature Approves Multi-Year Funding for History Center
	The Legislature, by a vote of 10 to 4, approved a five-year funding agreement between the County and The History Center in Tompkins County. (Legislators Mike Sigler, Mike Hattery, Leslyn ...

07-01-2008	Increased Support Provided to SPCA
	By unanimous vote, the Legislature allocated $15,000 in contingency funding to the Tompkins County Society of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) related to its contract with the County for ...

06-30-2008	Tourism Board Seeking Recreation And Agriculture Representative
	The Strategic Tourism Planning Board needs to fill a vacancy representing recreation and agriculture. Tompkins County residents are invited to apply no later than July 10th. The tourism planning ...

06-30-2008	Trustees Vote To Remove Age Restrictions On Library Cards
	The Tompkins County Public Library Board of Trustees voted Tuesday, June 24th to remove age restrictions for obtaining library cards, paving the way for children of all ages to develop a love of ...

06-27-2008	County Clerk Aurora Valenti Earns State Association Award
	Aurora R. Valenti, Tompkins County Clerk, has been awarded the “Lifetime Achievement Award” by members of the New York State Association of County Clerks (NYSACC). The award was presented earlier ...

06-27-2008	Updated Tompkins County Local Government Directory Now Online
	The 2008 Tompkins County Local Government Directory is now available online at http://www.tompkins-co.org/legislature/lgd.pdf . This guide contains contact information for County departments, the ...

06-25-2008	Cayuga Lake Monitoring Plan Presented
	The public had an opportunity tonight to learn about an expanded, comprehensive monitoring plan to help identify sources of pollution in southern Cayuga Lake. About 30 people attended the meeting to ...

06-20-2008	Library Seeks Volunteers
	The Tompkins County Public Library is currently seeking volunteers to assist with summer programs for youth and adult audiences and in the Foundation office. Volunteers interested in helping with ...

06-17-2008	Legislature Sets Fiscal Targets for 2009 Budget
	By a vote of 8-5, the Legislature established guidelines for preparation of 2009 County budget by county departments and agencies. (Legislators Martha Robertson, Will Burbank, Pam Mackesey, Dooley ...

06-17-2008	Legislature Urges Adoption of Federal Carbon Tax
	The Legislature has gone on record in support of federal legislation to enact a federal carbon tax, aimed at reducing greenhouse gas, including carbon dioxide, said to be a major contributor to ...

06-17-2008	Tompkins Cortland Community College Operating Budget Approved
	By unanimous vote of those present (Legislator Tyke Randall was absent), the Legislature approved the 2008-09 operating budget for Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3). The $32.3 million ...

06-13-2008	Public Meeting on Varna Traffic June 30th
	Later this month, residents will have a chance to learn about findings of a transportation study of the Route 13/366 corridor, as they relate to the Hamlet of Varna. Results of the Route 13/366 ...

06-10-2008	Committee Consideration of Lake Monitoring Proposal Delayed
	Review of a comprehensive lake monitoring program by the County’s Planning, Development and Environmental Quality Committee, which had been scheduled for today, has been delayed. Committee Chair ...

06-10-2008	Legal and Financial Planning For Family Caregivers
	A workshop on "Legal and Financial Planning for Family Caregivers” will be presented on Wednesday, June 18 from Noon - 1:30 PM at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, 615 Willow Avenue, in ...

06-09-2008	Budget Committee Recommends 2009 Budget Guidelines
	The Legislature’s Budget and Capital Committee today recommended fiscal guidelines for County departments and agencies related to preparation of the 2009 County budget. The recommendation, ...

06-06-2008	Review Begins on Comprehensive Lake Monitoring Plan
	Two county government committees next week will review an expanded, comprehensive monitoring plan to help identify sources of pollution in southern Cayuga Lake. The proposal has been two years in ...

06-05-2008	Health Department Team Leader Carol Mohler Receives State Recognition
	Carol Mohler, BS, RN, a Team Leader from the Tompkins County Health Department was recognized as a Public Health Works! Honoree on June 4, 2008. Ms. Carol Mohler was selected for the Honor Roll ...

06-04-2008	Legislature Awards Contracts for Airport Improvements
	The Legislature at its June 3rd meeting awarded two contracts for improvements at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. For all three contracts, nearly all the cost is borne by Federal Aviation ...

06-03-2008	Community Invited to Discuss Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions Element for County Comprehensive Plan
	The Tompkins County Planning Department invites you to attend a public meeting to discuss Energy and Greenhouse Gas Emissions on Thursday, June 5th from 7:00 – 9:00 PM at the Tompkins County Public ...

06-03-2008	Legislature Stands By Award Process for Some Tourism Program Contracts
	For its second meeting in a row, the Legislature considered, but failed to change the way in which the County awards some tourism grants, which are funded by county room tax dollars. Two weeks ...

06-03-2008	Legislators Support Grant Application for Pine Tree Road Pedestrian Enhancement Project
	By unanimous vote, , the Legislature authorized submission of an application for a state transportation department Transportation Enhancement Program grant to eliminate the old Lehigh Valley railroad ...

05-29-2008	Special Budget Work Session Addresses 2009 Budget Priorities
	County legislators and senior staff came together today to address spending priorities for the 2009 Tompkins County budget, as well as to begin to plan for long-term financial strategies. The ...

05-20-2008	County Returns to Annual Assessment Cycle
	Tompkins County will return to an annual assessment cycle for the next assessment year beginning July 1st, ending the three-year assessment system used since 2006. By unanimous vote of those ...

05-20-2008	Legislature Declines to Modify Award Process for Tourism Program Contracts
	After considerable discussion, the Legislature defeated a proposal which would have delegated approval authority for certain tourism program contracts, funded through county room tax dollars. ...

05-20-2008	County Ethics Code Amended
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, adopted a new Local Law which amends the Tompkins County Code of Ethics. The Local Law amends the section of the Tompkins County Code to include in the Code ...

05-19-2008	County Nutrition Program Sponsorship to Continue
	The Tompkins County Legislature will not be considering a proposal to cease County sponsorship of the federal Women/Infants/Children (WIC) Nutrition Program, once the current program cycle expires ...

05-15-2008	County Reopens Administrator Search
	Tompkins County has officially reopened its search for a new County Administrator. The new Administrator will succeed the current administrator, Steve Whicher, who a year ago announced his intention ...

05-15-2008	Annual Report for Tompkins County Stormwater Permit Available for Review
	The annual report for Tompkins County’s stormwater permit is now available for review. Members of the public are invited to ask questions and provide comments on the annual report at the May 19th ...

05-12-2008	Legislature Will Consider Recommendation to Discontinue Nutrition Program Sponsorship
	The Budget and Capital Committee of the County Legislature, by a split 3-2 vote, today recommended that the County Health Department discontinue sponsorship of the federal Women/Infants/Children ...

05-09-2008	Committee Recommends Return to Annual Assessment Cycle
	The Government Operations Committee of the County Legislature today recommended that the county return to an annual property valuation cycle for the upcoming assessment year. By a vote of 4-1, ...

05-08-2008	Committee Fails to Consider Recommendation on Future of County Women/Infants/Children Nutrition Program
	After more than an hour of discussion, the County’s Health and Human Services Committee Wednesday declined to advance a proposal that called for the County to discontinue Health Department ...

05-06-2008	Legislature Sets 3 Percent Tax Levy Increase Goal for 2009
	The Legislature tonight took the first step toward preparation of a 2009 Tompkins County budget, establishing a financial goal of a maximum tax levy increase in 2009 of 3 percent. The 3 percent levy ...

05-06-2008	Legislature Welcomes Will Burbank
	After operating one legislator short for the past two months, the Legislature has returned to its full complement of members. Legislators welcomed their newest colleague, Democrat Will Burbank, ...

05-06-2008	Public Hearing Scheduled on County Code of Ethics
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, scheduled a public hearing on a proposed modification to the County’s Code of Ethics, determined by local law. The hearing will be held on Tuesday, May 20, 2008, ...

05-02-2008	Reverse Mortgages for Seniors Workshop
	A free seminar, “Understanding Reverse Mortgages,” will be offered on Wednesday, May 14, from Noon-1:00 PM at Cooperative Extension, 615 Willow Avenue, Ithaca. David Stoyell, from the Office for ...

04-29-2008	Tompkins County State of Emergency Lifted
	A State of Emergency which had been in effect in Tompkins County since Friday, April 25th has been lifted by County Administrator Stephen Whicher, effective as of 12:00 Noon today, April 29th. The ...

04-29-2008	Change of Assessment Letters Going out April 30th
	Beginning April 30th, the Tompkins County Department of Assessment will mail letters to property owners whose assessments have changed since the 2008 Assessment Disclosure Notices were mailed ...

04-25-2008	State of Emergency Declared in Tompkins County Because of Fire Risk
	Tompkins County Administrator Stephen Whicher has declared a State of Emergency in Tompkins County, effective as of 5:00 p.m. today, because of ongoing weather conditions which create a serious risk ...

04-25-2008	Library to Open at Noon on Tuesday, April 29, 2008
	Due to construction related to the Cayuga Green Project, the Tompkins County Public Library will not open until noon on Tuesday, April 29. The delayed opening is a result of a planned, ...

04-23-2008	Youth Services Director Honored With Day Care Council Award
	The Day Care and Child Development Council of Tompkins County has recognized County Youth Services Director Nancy Zahler as the 2008 recipient of its June Rogers Early Childhood Award. The award was ...

04-18-2008	Learn About the Route 96 Corridor Study
	At an upcoming information session, residents will have an opportunity to hear preliminary findings of the County’s Route 96 Corridor Management Study and to share their insight and concerns about ...

04-17-2008	Aging Office Seeks Yard Work Volunteers
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging maintains a list of individuals who would be willing to do yard work for senior citizens in the spring and summer months. The office is currently updating ...

04-17-2008	Operation Delays for Recycling and Solid Waste Center
	The Tompkins County Solid Waste Management Division advises that the entrance to the Recycling and Solid Waste Center will be reduced to one lane for incoming traffic due to construction as part of ...

04-15-2008	Budget Chair Warns of a Tough Budget Year in 2009
	Reporting on preliminary preparations for the 2009 budget process, Budget and Capital Committee Chair Nathan Shinagawa predicted that 2009 will be a difficult budget year and cautioned that ...

04-15-2008	Legislators Urge Preservation of Federal Highway Aid
	Facing an anticipated loss of $4.9 million in federal highway funds from projects scheduled for 2007 but delayed, the Legislature by unanimous vote of those present asked the Federal Highway ...

04-15-2008	County and Lifelong Investigating Joint Facility
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present, authorized the County to enter into a Memorandum of Understanding to proceed with investigation into possible joint facilities for Lifelong and ...

04-10-2008	Project Care Volunteers Needed
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging needs volunteers in Groton, Newfield, Freeville and Trumansburg to assist homebound senior citizens through the Project Care Program. Volunteers ...

04-07-2008	County Poet Laureates at Library April 17
	The Tompkins County Public Library will celebrate National Poetry Month with a reading by County Poet Laureates past and present, Michelle Courtney Berry and Paul Hamill, Thursday, April 17, 2008 at ...

04-02-2008	Committee Begins to Discuss Future of Women/Infant/Children’s Nutrition Program
	The Legislature’s Health and Human Services Committee today began to consider a proposal that would discontinue County Health Department sponsorship of the Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, ...

04-01-2008	County to Extend County Administrator Search; Administrator Whicher to Remain Through November
	Tompkins County will continue its search for a new County Administrator. At tonight’s meeting of the County Legislature, Chair Michael Koplinka-Loehr reported that a successful candidate has not yet ...

04-01-2008	Administrator Anticipates Negative County Impact From New State Budget
	Administrator Steve Whicher told the Legislature tonight that cost-shifts contained in the just-passed 2008-09 New York State Budget could cost the County close to $400,000 in 2008, and approximately ...

04-01-2008	Legislature Approves Architectural and Design Services for Health Department Building
	The Legislature, by a vote of 11-3 approved the firm of Labella Associates, P.C. of Rochester to provide architectural and engineering design services for renovation of the building at 55 Brown Road ...

03-27-2008	Citizens Urged to Participate in Earth Hour 2008 This Saturday
	Tompkins County residents are urged to turn off their lights for an hour this Saturday to participate in Earth Hour 2008, a worldwide event demonstrating the commitment to address the problem of ...

03-25-2008	Tompkins County Disposal Punch Card and Coupon Prices
	Tompkins County Disposal Coupons and Punch Cards have increased in price for 2008. 2007 punch cards and coupons can be used until March 31, 2008. On April 1, 2008 users of the Recycling & Solid ...

03-19-2008	Stuart Stein Honored with Cogan Tourism Award
	Former long-time County legislator and Legislature Chair Stuart Stein, who currently chairs the Tompkins County Strategic Tourism Planning Board, was honored March 18 with the Howard Cogan Tourism ...

03-18-2008	Airport Land Authorized for Inclusion in Lansing Sewer District
	The Legislature, by a 10-3 vote (with Legislator Carol Chock absent and the District 12 seat vacant) authorized 12.5 acres of land belonging to Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport to be included in a ...

03-18-2008	Community Water System Fees Approved
	By a unanimous vote of those present (with Legislator Chock absent and the District 12 seat vacant), the Legislature authorized the Health Department to implement a $130 fee for each of the county’s ...

03-18-2008	Legislature Distributes Additional Funds Through Municipal Sales Tax Agreement
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present (with Legislator Chock absent and the District 12 seat vacant), adjusted the 2008 budget for City of Ithaca services supported through the ...

03-11-2008	Introduction to Alzheimer’s for Caring Relatives
	A free workshop for persons concerned about a relative or friend with Alzheimer’s or a related disorder is being held Thursday, March 27, 3:00-4:30 p.m. at the Cooperative Extension Education Center, ...

03-04-2008	Legislature Makes Recommendations on New York State Budget
	In a dozen separate actions, the Legislature took official stands on elements of Governor Eliot Spitzer’s executive budget, weighing in on provisions which will be under review by the New York State ...

03-04-2008	Absentee and Sample Ballots Now Available
	Absentee and Sample ballots for the March 18 Village elections in Cayuga Heights, Dryden, Groton, and Trumansburg are now available from the Tompkins County Board of Elections. Applications for ...

03-04-2008	Library Sunday Hours Now Fully Funded
	The Tompkins County Public Library is pleased to announce that it has achieved full funding of Sunday hours in 2008. A $15,000 legislative grant from Senator George H. Winner Jr., (R-53rd) and ...

02-19-2008	Legislator Tim Joseph Accepts State Parks Appointment; Legislature Pays Tribute
	On his final day of legislative service, long-time legislator and former Legislature Chair Tim Joseph announced he has accepted an appointment as Director of New York State Parks, Finger Lakes ...

02-19-2008	Contract with White Collar Employees Ratified
	The Legislature ratified a one-year bargaining agreement with the Civil Service Employees Association, White Collar Unit, which provides a 3 percent increase in base salaries. The vote was 12-1-1 ...

02-19-2008	Legislature Funds Purchase of New Voting Machines
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (with Legislator Kathy Luz-Herrera absent), allocated the local matching funds required to purchase voting machines to improve access and participation by voters ...

02-19-2008	Legislature Funds Purchase of New Voting Machines
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote (with Legislator Kathy Luz-Herrera absent), allocated the local matching funds required to purchase voting machines to improve access and participation by voters ...

02-13-2008	Tim Joseph Resigns From County Legislature
	Tompkins County Legislator and former long-time Legislature chair Tim Joseph has submitted his resignation from the Legislature, effective as of end of the day February 19th, the date of the ...

02-12-2008	Nominations Sought for 2008 Senior Citizen Award
	The Tompkins County Office for the Aging is now accepting nominations for the 2008 Senior Citizen of the Year Award. The Senior Citizen of the Year Award is granted to a senior citizen who has ...

02-11-2008	Administrator’s Report Assesses Potential State Budget Impact
	Presenting the results of his initial review of how Governor Spitzer’s proposed 2008 state budget might affect County operations, County Administrator Steve Whicher told the legislature’s Budget and ...

02-08-2008	Committee Recommends Funding for New Voting Machines
	The Legislature’s Government Operations Committee today recommended that the County allocate contingent funding for the purchase of court-ordered voting machines, to improve access and participation ...

02-06-2008	TC3 President Presents Annual “State of the College” Report
	Tompkins Cortland Community College President Dr. Carl Haynes on Tuesday presented the Legislature his annual president’s report, assessing the state of the college as 2008 begins. Dr. Haynes ...

02-05-2008	Legislature Hears Empire Zone Update
	The coordinator of the County’s Empire Zone Program told legislators the Tompkins County Empire Zone, designated by New York State in 2006, has exceeded expectations during its first full year of ...

02-05-2008	Legislature Establishes 2008 Succession
	The Legislature, by a vote of 14-1 (Legislator Tyke Randall voted no), approved an order of succession of County Legislators, to serve in the absence of the Chair and Vice Chair, if those leaders are ...

02-04-2008	Primary Election Hours Noon To Nine P.M.
	Polling sites for the Presidential Primary on Tuesday February 5 will be open from noon until 9 p.m. Only Democratic and Republican voters are eligible to vote in this primary. If you’re not sure ...

02-01-2008	Tompkins Joins Other Community Partners in Regional “Green Purchasing” Consortium
	New York’s first community based, multi-sector consortium has formed in the Finger Lakes region to promote environmentally preferred processes, procedures, products, and services. The Finger ...

02-01-2008	“How to File an Informal Assessment Review Application” Workshops Scheduled
	Over the next two months the Tompkins County Department of Assessment will be conducting a workshop titled “How to file an Informal Assessment Review Application” in each township and the City of ...

01-29-2008	Information on Aging Services Available
	Are you wondering about services for senior citizens? From questions about Medicare, to concerns about an older relative, the staff at the Tompkins County Office for the Aging can help you. ...

01-28-2008	Tompkins County Board of Elections Chooses Ballot Marking Device
	The Tompkins County Board of Elections held an open meeting on Monday January 28 at 2:00 pm to choose a ballot marking device (BMD) to use in this fall’s elections. Commissioners Elizabeth W. ...

01-24-2008	Tourism Grants Workshop January 22nd
	The county’s Strategic Tourism Planning Board will sponsor a Tourism Grants Workshop on Tuesday, January 22nd beginning at 2:30 p.m. at the Tompkins County Chamber of Commerce / Visitors Center, ...

01-15-2008	Legislature Authorizes Acquisition of Brown Road Health Department Site
	After more than an hour of reflective and sometimes emotional discussion, the Legislature by a vote of 11- 4 gave the go-ahead for the County to acquire facilities at 55 Brown Road in the Village of ...

01-15-2008	Legislature Approves IDA Bonds for TC3 Improvements
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, authorized issuance of up to $18.5 million in tax-exempt county Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility Revenue Bonds to the Tompkins Cortland Community ...

01-15-2008	Legislature Establishes 2008 Management Salaries
	The Legislature, by unanimous vote, set 2008 salaries for the County’s managerial personnel. Employees will receive a salary increase of 3 percent, if their salary is equal to the current County pay ...

01-07-2008	Absentee Ballots Now Available
	Absentee ballots for the February 5 Presidential Primary Election are now available at the Tompkins County Board of Elections. Applications for absentee ballots may be obtained from the Board office ...

01-02-2008	Koplinka-Loehr Elected Legislature Chair
	Members of the Tompkins County Legislature elected Michael Koplinka-Loehr (D) as Chair of the Legislature for 2008. The position of chair, filled each year by a majority vote of the Legislature’s 15 ...

01-02-2008	2008 Committee Assignments Announced
	Following his election as Chair of the Legislature, Mike Koplinka-Loehr announced standing committee assignments for 2008. To allow continuity of multi-year commitments already underway, the Chair ...

01-02-2008	Legislature Hears Consultant’s Presentation on Brown Road Health Department Site
	Consultant Kevin Marren, of the firm LaBella Associates, presented to the Legislature the latest conceptual drawings for the planned site for a new headquarters for the Tompkins County Health ...

12-21-2007	Committee Provides Favorable Assessment of Brown Road Health Department Site
	After reviewing a consultant’s latest building evaluation and conceptual drawings, the County’s Health Department Building Construction Committee has endorsed the further legislative consideration of ...

12-18-2007	Tim Joseph Chairs Final Legislature Meeting
	Tim Joseph, who has served seven years as Chair of the County Legislature, thanked his “legislative colleagues, past and present” for their support and “all County staff who did their jobs ...

12-18-2007	Legislature Expresses Official Appreciation to Former Colleague Dick Booth
	On the day that voters in the Legislature’s District 3 voted to elect his successor, the Legislature by unanimous vote approved a Resolution of Appreciation recognizing former Legislator Dick Booth, ...

12-18-2007	Legislature Considers, But Fails to Approve 2008 Managerial Salary Increases
	The Legislature, by a split vote of 6 to 6, with Legislators McBean-Clairborne and Tyke Randall absent, failed to approve a recommended 3 percent salary increase for County managerial employees in ...

12-17-2007	County Clerk’s Office and Department of Motor Vehicles Holiday Hours
	The Tompkins County Clerk's Office and the Department of Motor Vehicles in Ithaca will be closed on Monday, December 24th, and Tuesday, December 25th. Both offices will reopen at 8:30 a.m., ...

12-14-2007	Flu Shot Clinic on December 18th
	The Tompkins County Health Department will be holding another flu immunization clinic at its location on Harris B. Dates Drive. Many people were unable to get a flu shot at the Department’s clinic ...

12-14-2007	Library Cancels Sunday Hours for December 16th
	The Tompkins County Public Library will be closed on Sunday December 16 due to the expected inclement weather. The library will re-open on Sundays on January 13, 2008 from 1 - 5 p.m.

12-12-2007	Holiday Tips From The Health Department
	The Health Promotion Program at the Tompkins County Health Department offers “12 Tips for Healthy Holiday Choices.” Theresa Lyczko, the Director of the Health Promotion Program notes, “The tips are ...

12-07-2007	Get a Flu Shot Before the Holidays
	The Tompkins County Health Department will be holding a flu immunization clinic at its location on Harris B. Dates Drive. The clinic will be held on Thursday, December 13, 2007 from 1:30 – 4:30 ...

12-04-2007	Despite Majority Vote, Legislature Fails to Approve Procedural Change in County Ethics Code
	A proposed Local Law, which would have modified a provision of the County’s Code of Ethics governing the filing of financial disclosure statements, was supported by a majority of those attending ...

12-04-2007	Legislature Accepts State Stream Protection Grant
	By unanimous vote, the Legislature accepted a $70,000 grant from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to develop a comprehensive stream buffer program for Tompkins County. The ...

12-04-2007	Airport Improvement Expenditures Approved
	Without dissent, Legislators approved several expenditures related to ongoing improvements at Ithaca Tompkins Regional Airport. Legislators § Awarded the contract for terminal fire alarm system ...

11-30-2007	Absentee Ballots and Poll Sites for December 18 Special Election
	Absentee ballots for the December 18 Special Election for County Legislature District 3 are now available at the Tompkins County Board of Elections. Only registered voters in this district are ...

11-20-2007	Legislature Adopts 2008 County Budget
	Nearly ten weeks after the process began, the Tompkins County Legislature tonight adopted a 2008 Tompkins County Budget. The final vote, approving the 2008 budget and the 2008-2012 capital program, ...

11-15-2007	Power Outage Scheduled at Health Department
	Electrical power to the Tompkins County Health Department will be disrupted temporarily between 5:00 a.m. and 7:00 a.m. on Friday, November 16th to allow for the installation of a new generator. A ...

11-13-2007	Public Hearing, But No Comment on 2008 Tentative Budget
	The hearing was over almost as soon as it began. No citizens appeared tonight to address the Legislature at its annual public hearing called to invite citizen comment on the County’s 2008 ...

11-07-2007	Legislature Adopts Amended 2008 Tentative Budget
	With little discussion and no modification, the Legislature, by a vote of 8 to 4, adopted amendments to County Administrator Steve Whicher’s 2008 tentative budget and 2008-2012 capital program, as ...

11-07-2007	Special Election Scheduled to Fill Legislature Vacancy
	By unanimous vote (with Legislators Sigler and Randall absent), the Legislature scheduled a special election for December 18, 2007 in District 3 (City of Ithaca) to fill the unexpired term of ...

11-07-2007	Legislature Endorses Bonding for Family and Children’s Service Project
	The Legislature, by a vote of 11 to 1, approved issuance of up to $4.5 million in tax-exempt county Industrial Development Agency Civic Facility Revenue Bonds to benefit Family and Children’s Service ...

11-05-2007	Snow Shovelers Needed To Assist Seniors
	It’s not too early to think about snow! With winter coming upon us, the Tompkins County Office for the Aging is updating its listing of snow shovelers. Deep snow and icy sidewalks are dangerous for ...

11-01-2007	County Youth Services Department Marks 30th Anniversary
	Officials and well-wishers reflected on past achievements and looked ahead to the future, as the County Youth Services Department celebrated its 30th anniversary at a reception at Ithaca’s Hilton ...

10-25-2007	Council of Governments Recommends Interim Agreement for Animal Control
	The Tompkins County Council of Governments (TCCOG), of which Tompkins County is a member, today recommended that its municipal members approve an interim agreement for animal control with the ...

10-24-2007	Expanded Budget Committee Reaches 2008 Budget Recommendation
	After seven prior sessions and four hours of discussion today, Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee recommended an amended tentative Tompkins County budget which would increase the tax ...

10-22-2007	New Poll Sites for Town of Ithaca
	Beginning with the November 6 General Election voters in Town of Ithaca Election Districts 4, 11 and 12 will vote at Ellis Hollow Apartments, located at 1028 Ellis Hollow Rd. Voters should use the ...

10-18-2007	Second Round of 2008 Budget Changes for Expanded Budget Committee
	Legislators acting as an Expanded Budget Committee continued in their process of recommending revisions to the 2008 tentative Tompkins County budget presented by County Administrator Steve Whicher ...

10-18-2007	Office for the Aging Workshop for Alzheimer's Caregivers
	Coping With Loss When A Loved One Has Alzheimer’s A free workshop, "Living with Loss: When a Loved One Has Alzheimer's," is being offered on Tuesday, October 30, Noon - 1:30 PM at Cooperative ...

10-17-2007	Health Department Building Construction Committee Established
	Legislature Chair Tim Joseph announced that he has charged a new advisory committee with guiding design and renovation of a new county Health Department headquarters on Brown Road in the Village of ...

10-16-2007	Legislature Approves Livable Wage for Project Assistants
	By a vote of 9 to 5, the Legislature approved changes to the County’s internship program, which include an increase in the pay range for project assistant interns consistent with local livable wage ...

10-16-2007	Legislature Updated on County Government Emergency Preparedness
	Legislators tonight heard an outline and update of the County’s emergency management program, a three-pronged effort carried forth by the County’s Department of Emergency Response, the County’s ...

10-16-2007

Legislature Updated on County Government Emergency Preparedness