County sales tax up in June, but legislators flag an $11 million budget gap ahead of 2026 planning

Tompkins County’s finance director reported an 8.14% year‑over‑year increase in June sales tax receipts during the Aug. 5 legislature meeting, but legislators and the budget committee said the county still faces a multi‑million‑dollar shortfall in next year’s budget.

Daryl Tuttle, the county’s finance director, told the legislature the county received $8,462,000 in sales tax in June — an 8.14% increase over June 2024 — and that the county’s share through June was about $4,760,000. The report showed municipal receipts rising by 21.12% and the City of Ithaca’s monthly allocation declining by 3.75%; the county had budgeted $43,240,000 in sales tax for the full year and reported sales tax receipts at roughly 50.33% of the budgeted total through June.

Why it matters

Sales tax is a major local revenue source for Tompkins County. While the monthly numbers looked positive, budget planners said that aggregate revenue forecasts and department budget requests have created an estimated budget gap the county must close before adopting the 2026 budget.

What the meeting record shows

County Administrator Corso Acumfi and Budget, Capital and Personnel Committee Chair Mike Lane briefed legislators that departments have submitted requests that would increase expenses and that projected revenues in some areas are lower. Lane said department requests collectively accounted for about $5 million in additional spending requests while departments projected $6 million less in revenue compared with current expectations — producing an $11 million initial gap for budget planners to address.

Tuttle said the June figures are likely estimates and will be reconciled at quarter end; he agreed to verify whether the June numbers were final…