Cornell Cooperative Extension urges restoration of county funds, warns cuts could cost state and federal match

Cornell Cooperative Extension (CCE) Tompkins officials told the Tompkins County expanded budget committee on Sept. 15 that county appropriations are the core, unrestricted funding enabling CCE to match state and federal dollars, support staff and secure grant funds — and that a recommended county cut would jeopardize that leverage. Executive staff described program impacts, the association’s recent financial turnaround and a request to restore a $110,083 reduction the county has proposed compared with 2024 funding. CCE leaders said county target funding is essential to obtain state matching funds and in‑kind fringe support and that reductions to the county appropriation multiply into losses of outside grant funds. Presenters described CCE’s broad program portfolio — agriculture and environmental management, workforce development, youth and family services, food and nutrition education, master gardener programs and volunteer networks — and argued that cutting core operating dollars would force staff layoffs or reassignments that would reduce the association’s ability to secure new grants and to maintain existing programs. Speakers noted the association’s recent governance and financial improvements — restoration of accreditation and clean audits after an earlier period of noncompliance — and reported that the association secures several million dollars in state funds and in‑kind benefits; presenters said county appropriations historically returned multiple dollars of outside funds per local dollar. CCE officials asked the committee to restore two elements of funding: a 5 percent restoration previously provided as one‑time support, and the remaining 11 percent from the 2025 cut, totaling $110,083. Legislators asked about transparency, audits and administrative costs; CCE representatives said they would supply audited financials and breakdowns of administrative spending and stressed that cuts to core funding would reduce the association’s capacity to pursue and sustain state and federal grants. The committee did not take a final vote during the presentation; CCE requested the legislature consider the restoration request as part of the county budget process.