[{"_1":2,"_123":-5,"_124":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99,111],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6167693,"mediaKeyId","5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407","parentId",5410253,"title","Committee accepts additional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds for local workforce programming","audioSeconds",100,"startMs",3660000,"endMs",3760000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407&start=3660&end=3760","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407/thumbnail_3660000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6167693/Tompkins-County/New-York/Committee-accepts-additional-Workforce-Innovation-and-Opportunity-Act-funds-for-local-workforce-programming","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167693-048f29386cdea29cb88b6e7bc1c9d7a8/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506088&Signature=RevZ5IN1w5wTXCL4a5kQXDOhtoIAuCe7Q-t4q1ipB0mMKqdbYIK2Wc8gX~Gg-5A43cGQHcEJGr7LjcEeOGO87wFoh~CWa9aIuZ4i6ykoRgE6UN4PoHEP-nuk~mPHXqJ~0I2gPaek2v1v-90Aeej6ZaZnoeyQg6PvjfoInhQ0ePjADoZmFIg6T~57YXUHDkgQVGyxoZoKLzoiiyYOAqX7XZQrSATAc94zSLhr1XBTGfh-EbAbrRVms0ueKybUhPqHVc0drms0r2S~Ofn7IwKKHDLw~mudEf3tVeA8ePz5bRC2PLTG2kECWuKD8MDwFVKdqJn5JpR9m-idq7~imvockQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","Tompkins County, NY","date","2025-07-17T03:52:57Z","article","The committee unanimously approved a budget adjustment to accept additional federal Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA) funds awarded to Tompkins County Workforce Development and to allocate the added dollars into program expense lines.

What happened: Staff reported the department received $61,975 in WIOA funding (about $26,975 more than budgeted) and requested an amendment to accept the grant and move the dollars into the department’s program expenses. The resolution was moved by Veronica and seconded by Anne and passed unanimously.

Why it matters: Committee members commended Workforce Development staff for being proactive in seeking grant funds to expand local employment and training opportunities. The action is cost‑neutral to the county general fund because it accepts state/federal grant revenue and programs the funds into the department’s operating budget.

Next steps: Workforce Development will follow its usual grant reporting and contracting process and report back to the committee on program outcomes funded by the award.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Tompkins County Housing and Economic Development Committee - July 16, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","The committee unanimously accepted a roughly $62,000 Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act award adjustment for Tompkins County Workforce Development and reallocated the additional funding into program expenses.","taxTitle","Tompkins County, New York","taxId",52737,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167698,"Independent evaluation finds Sunflower Houses cut recidivism and emergency service calls; researchers recommend stable county funding",1615,3995000,5610000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407&start=3995&end=5610","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407/thumbnail_3995000.jpg","/articles/6167698/Tompkins-County/New-York/Independent-evaluation-finds-Sunflower-Houses-cut-recidivism-and-emergency-service-calls-researchers-recommend-stable-county-funding","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167698-f0e9225753b4260bdd3831457b9d7822/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506088&Signature=hFPLTpXblvfkYCUpo19wE9ms-peniuVPN1-PtwUHa6yjphu9RT4WSF1u7Rz2CFgj60vq4ynIA7kLEjiYxhTdo4dFg3AWNVoEVJXUObj0PFg8flFxR4rgpD9lqM9UBckjSX5QhWExGwfd~PgA3lyh1tWpMgAQaQkgOZqUsujpbkS4pmofo1ps1170YKQQNuGl-Ftgzk1ak9crK~SCQJy4TAWGl8cRj3uW1Ek2m68EVr6nWFYtlH6iuhZbu3HzXnHf5TLwCKqLDz3-b0WE9PpBk9gCfZ7VucbVj00v2NXy50FEfSW4H1YEBZZffePdJtPXMonmyxbiJT2SuO2yJpYpBg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Independent researchers Dr. Paula Ioannide and Dr. Charlie Willison presented the final assessment of the Sunflower Houses transitional housing pilot on July 16 and recommended that Tompkins County provide ongoing budget support to stabilize the program and expand wraparound services.

Why it matters: The Sunflower Houses pilot provides low‑barrier transitional housing and intensive case management to people returning from incarceration or experiencing chronic homelessness. Researchers said the program reduced re‑arrest/rebooking events for residents while in program, increased health‑care access and likely reduced calls for emergency response services.

Key findings: The researchers summarized quantitative and qualitative findings from the 2021–2024 pilot:
- Program size and model: Sunflower Houses operates small three‑bedroom units serving roughly 12 residents at a time with wraparound services provided by the Ultimate Reentry Opportunity Initiative (OER); Ithaca Neighborhood Housing Services (INHS) subsidizes units to OER below market rates.
- Recidivism: For residents while they were in Sunflower Houses the rebooking rate was 7%. By contrast researchers reported a countywide two‑year rebooking rate of 34.8% (2021–2023), and an OER client comparison group rate of 17.5% (different samples; the researchers cautioned comparisons are not strictly equivalent because of differing sample sets and tracking methodologies).
- Homelessness and employment: Eighty‑one percent of Sunflower entrants were homeless on intake; researchers found several residents obtained housing upon program exit and 60% worked while in the program. Chronic medical conditions and disabilities were significant barriers to sustained employment for many participants.
- Health care access and cost implications: The study found an estimated 57% increase in health‑insurance coverage among residents and 86% of participants reported using health care services while living at Sunflower. Researchers emphasized these outcomes reduce downstream emergency and criminal justice costs.

Recommendations and fiscal request: Researchers and OER Director Dave Sanders urged the county to move Sunflower Houses from short‑term pilot funding to ongoing county budget support. The independent recommendation cited a proposed annual budget of roughly $170,000 to stabilize staffing (including credible messengers and case managers), expand medical and behavioral health supports, and sustain the wraparound model. Researchers said that, given current federal and state funding uncertainty, a county appropriation would secure the program while staff pursue Medicaid 1115 waiver billing, opioid settlement funding, and forthcoming state reentry funds.

Legislator discussion: Committee members pressed researchers and OER staff on sustainability and funding timelines. Several legislators said they support the program’s outcomes but asked for a clear plan describing how the program would secure Medicaid billing under the Section 1115 waiver, apply for state reentry funding, and a multi‑year plan showing how county support would decline if alternative funding is secured. Researchers said OER has pursued waiver billing and opioid settlement funds but that Medicaid waiver infrastructure and state funding remain precarious and not guaranteed long term.

Next steps: Researchers provided their reports to the clerk and offered to follow up by email with committee members. Committee members asked staff to attach the presentation and qualitative report to the legislature packet. Researchers recommended the county examine scaling the model — with distinct tracks for lower‑support residents and higher‑support residents requiring more intensive medical and behavioral health services — and stressed that staffing intensity is the primary cost driver.","Independent researchers reported that the Sunflower Houses reentry transitional housing pilot achieved low in‑program recidivism (7%), increased health‑care engagement and reduced emergency calls, and recommended a sustained county appropriation to stabilize staffing and services.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167703,"Tourism staff present program overview and propose a slightly lower 2026 budget amid forecasted headwinds",785,665000,1450000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407&start=665&end=1450","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407/thumbnail_665000.jpg","/articles/6167703/Tompkins-County/New-York/Tourism-staff-present-program-overview-and-propose-a-slightly-lower-2026-budget-amid-forecasted-headwinds","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167703-668fa5b826d4f0b2b43ea15fe42a172a/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506088&Signature=bH8wquMRcFaRxfmNlz7h1PUxSl~HptmlcbmyGiHC82205R8rub7Q75iXraDWS6mLw~IECRQpCfHtvZMB3pD7~mGdRPJH-gZ5HG5s3ZAf-T0BKPAnLngfDjuddXuR2GMJZPTAgXM72kPxrsLUapRx2Sdb09~sqOUEDt~5RMdEQm0iTUkJbFIYrygsUSQRlSCfvtvPFa0kZCH7i~Hvz5k9UTwNnIYYMrmFWb~RayYRsIeTaOIgO6VO6O1yaRAn2JefA63iNUFXUZDUusR-wu7JejqElsPVGq7KSizd3RnN9WYn1Zb9bAREX6V-V71x4hA0E6FBuAZ4ZJJCUCSAhSFq7A__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Nick, staff lead in the Department of Planning & Sustainability, presented an overview of the county tourism program and the Strategic Tourism Planning Board’s 2026 budget recommendation on July 16, telling the committee the program remains an important economic diversifier for the county but that the 2026 forecast projects a 2.5% decline in room tax revenue.

Why it matters: Tompkins County’s tourism program is funded primarily by a 5% room occupancy tax and supports the Convention & Visitors Bureau (CVB), the Ithaca Downtown Conference Center, grants for annual programs (for example, community beautification, downtown ambassadors and hospitality workforce training), and contracts with cultural organizations. Tourism-generated spending and taxes are significant in the county’s economy, staff said.

Key figures and outlook: Nick told the committee the county’s visitor profile study reported roughly $29.4 million in tourism‑related tax revenue for the prior year and more than $380 million in direct visitor spending in 2024, producing a total economic impact approaching $430 million and supporting more than 3,200 jobs. Staff forecast a 2.5% drop in the 2026 room tax outlook driven by declines in international travel, reduced academic‑related events, and lower discretionary travel; staff said Canadian visitation had also declined.

Budget highlights and program changes: The STPB budget recommendation focuses the majority of funding on long‑term contracts (notably the CVB and conference center operations) and distributes the remainder across grant programs, annual programs, and operating support. Notable items in the 2026 proposal include a new Downtown Activation grant (run by the Downtown Ithaca Alliance) to support busking, street art and sidewalk showcases on the Commons and a request that the CVB hold its budget flat for 2026 (the CVB agreed provisionally to hold funding steady, absorbing a planned contract increase so other programs can remain funded if room tax revenue declines). Staff also noted the county keeps 10% of room tax revenue for administration and that a portion of planning staff time is billed to the room tax fund.

Committee reaction: Legislators congratulated staff and the CVB for tourism recognition and urged continued promotion. Committee members asked for more detail on the drivers of the 2026 forecast and whether contingency budget adjustments would be possible if second‑quarter receipts exceed expectations; staff said they would monitor collections and could propose budget adjustments if needed.

Next steps: Staff said a second‑quarter room tax report will be available at the next meeting, and the Strategic Tourism Planning Board will lead an update of the county strategic tourism plan later in the year. The committee also heard about short‑term rental law amendments in a separate agenda item that will affect registration and tax collection for that lodging category.","Planning staff briefed the committee on the county tourism program, its funding (5% room occupancy tax), 2024 visitor impact figures and a proposed 2.5% reduction in the 2026 tourism forecast; staff highlighted a downtown activation grant and an agreement to hold CVB funding flat for 2026.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167708,"Committee authorizes public hearing and adopts local law to add short‑term rentals to hotel occupancy tax",90,1780000,1870000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407&start=1780&end=1870","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407/thumbnail_1780000.jpg","/articles/6167708/Tompkins-County/New-York/Committee-authorizes-public-hearing-and-adopts-local-law-to-add-shortterm-rentals-to-hotel-occupancy-tax","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167708-303c597a3cce8e87f41174fa9a6e6017/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506088&Signature=Nob1Fc6FpPI267v4opTXsrdISpBxSfF4VzXjkhRRkkMbVXD0BN9TemDGD6IesoN6-zPI4oXX2AoRMNH07MdM3hH4Rni0F7ZtWkeo46AHwClxkLSsRx94c4n98BQqmZBxbxGaA1CPxrKOeiAdKFH3I0jl3D~Efoq2NNrAe4G8dyoy50Kk8u0Qf4G2Evohxv4q-RBS7NlDMD7Jw-r2hWiskAF3LuurwGOv7cwSDItTwD-4etfpTPiywQE3kTBm1NPuqiYdsx3OhgVqogX95DFNvO~IOhZKyflL0p7vKOUtkYcMdNtnAg1aSVV7Ev4A2Gu0buQa8hj2BrB4oJz4Fe4rwQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Tompkins County’s Housing and Economic Development Committee voted unanimously on July 16 to authorize a public hearing on proposed Local Law C of 2025 and then moved to adopt that same local law, which modifies the county hotel occupancy tax law to capture short‑term rentals and clarifies registration and penalty provisions.

Why it matters: The amendment explicitly defines short‑term rentals as taxable lodging under the county’s 5% room occupancy tax and creates a registration requirement for short‑term rental operators. County staff said the change implements state statutory changes enacted in 2024–2025 that established a framework for taxing and registering short‑term rentals.

What the law does: County staff summarized three principal changes:
- Incorporates short‑term rentals into the county’s hotel occupancy tax base so operators of short‑term rentals are subject to the tax collection and remittance regime.
- Establishes a registration requirement for short‑term rentals (two‑year registration cycle).
- Clarifies penalties for failure to register (referenced as section 150‑14 in the local code) and brings the county’s local law into alignment with state guidance rather than seeking an enabling law change at the state level.

Who enforces safety and health requirements: Committee members asked whether the county will perform inspections to verify fire extinguishers, evacuation diagrams and other safety items. Holly (county staff) and Nick (planning staff) said the state requires registration but does not mandate county staff to perform systematic on‑site inspections; registrants must sign an attestation that they meet safety and health requirements. Municipalities may maintain their own registration or inspection programs; staff noted the law does not preempt municipal systems such as the City of Ithaca’s registration.

Institutional questions: Legislator Deborah Dawson asked whether higher‑education institutions (Cornell, Ithaca College) would be captured when they rent rooms for alumni weekends or non‑academic events; staff said the draft law does not specifically address institutional exemptions and that the committee could request modifications before final adoption if legislators want to clarify treatment of institutional lodging.

Process and votes: The committee first authorized a public hearing (moved by Anne, seconded by Deborah) and later adopted Local Law C of 2025 (moved by Deborah, seconded by Anne); both measures passed unanimously on roll call. Staff will hold the public hearing as authorized and bring any amendments back to the committee before finalizing implementation details.

Next steps and timeline: Staff said the registration will operate on a two‑year cycle. The committee also asked staff to clarify how the law interacts with municipal registration systems, and which categories of lodging (including institutional or academic‑use lodging) are included or exempt. The committee will hold the public hearing on the adopted schedule and consider any amendments that arise from public comment.","Tompkins County legislators authorized a public hearing and unanimously adopted a local law (Local Law C of 2025) that amends the county’s hotel occupancy tax to incorporate short‑term rentals and a two‑year short‑term rental registration requirement.",{"_33":112,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":113,"_41":114,"_43":115,"_45":116,"_47":117,"_49":118,"_51":119,"_53":120,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":121,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":122,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6167712,"Legislature approves three municipal grants from housing infrastructure program, seeks contingent funding to cover shortfall",2142,318000,2460000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407&start=318&end=2460","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5410253-719185676728052fd6070e0c37f89407/thumbnail_318000.jpg","/articles/6167712/Tompkins-County/New-York/Legislature-approves-three-municipal-grants-from-housing-infrastructure-program-seeks-contingent-funding-to-cover-shortfall","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6167712-36431cd3d416e7b68f15c9bd48957bc7/orig.mp4?Expires=1770506088&Signature=kYpmlwMzsTAz~MvOc2~akWvE~NG1UtZ7c0dCPKy0ixe0B4KQqTqMPhVI8V2C8h8j79mDShGDYR4ddIx4ypzG6n7N2lBPhHUZ9kdQH-GHm~-c~sv-0motNFECaUrvKxCBLYy0oRNhhTVchchGypncDqO60nOXKEGRrwccizCAjhbeqjBUA6u2SjzDfxl2GkzD0os4UsALT-u2gq8z~J5C0nkUgasKINUe05b0Qkn~JGf5p3gMJQmAsaT6wL01jKtOPx464fQW8TbBTSosPCKu088Fh1ws7dFXubjGBnVRKoFnjb3tnyofcA4szWuOzYALb0WEGkttfJnySggzHC7sAQ__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Housing and Economic Development Committee unanimously approved three grant awards from the county’s Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure Grant program on July 16, backing planning work in the City of Ithaca, the Town of Danby and the Town of Dryden and asking the legislature to consider a $9,900 contingent transfer so all three awards can be funded this year.

Why it matters: County planning staff and applicants argued the HESIG awards leverage small county grants to win much larger state and federal infrastructure funding and to advance projects that can create housing capacity. Committee members said the program has often been underspent since its 2019 start and recommended treating it as an ongoing, active pipeline rather than an accumulating balance.

The three awards approved by the committee are:
- City of Ithaca — $10,000 to support hiring a consultant to develop preapproved accessory dwelling unit (ADU) designs, which the city recently authorized in local law. The county grant would supplement city funds already set aside for the work. (Moved by Veronica, seconded by Anne; passed unanimously.)
- Town of Danby — $10,000 to pay for consultant services (about 60% of a professional fee) to create the mapping, planning and application materials needed to pursue Water Infrastructure Improvement Act funding for downtown hamlet sewer and water infrastructure. (Moved by Anne, seconded by Veronica; passed unanimously.)
- Town of Dryden — $9,900 to fund a feasibility study for the NYSEG/Route 13 corridor — a roughly 100‑acre node the town hopes to coordinate for mixed‑use and housing development; total project cost $11,000 and the request was capped at 90% of that budget. (Moved by Deborah, seconded by Veronica; passed unanimously.)

Funding and process: Committee members noted $20,000 was budgeted for HESIG in 2025 and that the three requests exceed that by $9,900. County Administrator Corso told the panel the county’s contingent account could supply that amount if the legislature approves. Committee members discussed timing and committee-of-the-whole and Budget and Capital Planning (BCP) Committee schedules and agreed to hold the three HESIG resolutions to be considered together at the legislature’s second August meeting so the contingent transfer could be handled in BCP rather than advancing only two awards and leaving the third dependent on later action.

Public comment and program history: Former legislator Martha Robertson testified that the HESIG program began in 2019 and that the legislature allocated roughly $110,000 to it since inception but only about $40,000 has been disbursed so far; she urged the committee to fund the three current applications and noted Dryden’s proposal builds on prior county‑funded infrastructure study work. Charles Geisler of Dryden asked whether the county had a contingency plan if additional applications arrive before the program deadline; county staff said the application deadline is September 23 and additional applications would be considered as received.

Implementation notes and next steps: Staff said Danby’s study will support an application for the Water Infrastructure Improvement Act and that Danby presently lacks sewer infrastructure for its hamlet areas. Committee members asked staff to include a short history of HESIG budget and usage in the materials that go to BCP and the full legislature. The committee instructed the clerk to place all three resolutions (and the contingent transfer request) on the legislature agenda for the second meeting in August so they could be considered together.

Outlook: Committee members signaled interest in turning the program into a more actively managed fund that does not accumulate unspent balance but is available to respond quickly to municipal planning needs. Staff said additional applicants will be accepted through the September 23 deadline and brought forward for committee consideration.","Tompkins County’s Housing Affordability and Supportive Infrastructure Grant (HESIG) program will fund three municipal planning projects — Ithaca ADU designs, Danby sewer planning, and a Dryden feasibility study — with a contingent fund request to cover a $9,900 gap so all three can proceed together.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Committee accepts additional Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act funds for local workforce programming

Independent evaluation finds Sunflower Houses cut recidivism and emergency service calls; researchers recommend stable county funding

Tourism staff present program overview and propose a slightly lower 2026 budget amid forecasted headwinds

Committee authorizes public hearing and adopts local law to add short‑term rentals to hotel occupancy tax

Legislature approves three municipal grants from housing infrastructure program, seeks contingent funding to cover shortfall