Tompkins County releases proposed 2026 budget calling for 4.5% levy increase to address shelter and mandates

Tompkins County Administrator Corso and Deputy County Administrator Norma presented a recommended 2026 operating budget on Sept. 2 that would increase the county property tax levy by 4.5% above the state tax cap.

Norma, presenting the plan on behalf of county administration, said county administration "is recommending a 4.5% tax levy increase above our tax cap." She told lawmakers the total operating budget is $240,000,000 and that the property tax levy in the recommendation is $57,000,000. Norma said the increase would translate to about $37 per year for the county's median homeowner (median home value cited at $300,000).

The nut graf: County leaders said the proposed increase responds to rising demand for emergency shelter, state mandates and rising labor and fringe costs, while also funding strategic capital investments the administration said it could not defer.

In discussion, finance director Daryl Tuttle highlighted revenue trends: "total sales tax collected in July comes to $7,000,000 which is about 6.31% increase over July from 2024," he told the legislature. Norma and Daryl cited several budget drivers: higher safety net caseloads (safety net costs that the county funds were said to have risen), a forecasted 18% health consortium rate increase, increases in childcare and assigned counsel costs, and use of fund balance in prior years that left reserves below policy targets.

The recommended budget includes a number of specific items described in the presentation: a $3,000,000 contingent fund for expected federal changes and unknowns, capital investments with a $7.7 million local share, partial funding for facilities restoration and fleet needs, and continued funding for reimagining public safety initiatives including a Community Justice Center, sheriff clerks, and care teams. The administration also incorporated previously requested maintenance‑of‑effort contractual costs into departmental line items rather than listing them separately as over‑target requests.

Budget numbers and user fees called out by administration: a proposed solid waste fee increase from $82 to $85, a capital program that will be funded either by cash or debt service rather than ARPA, and an assumed vacancy factor saving of about $1,900,000. Norma said the fund balance is below the county’s 25% target and warned that repeated use of reserves makes rebuilding them more difficult.

The presentation also proposed a three‑year airport stabilization investment to preserve service and reduce passenger fees. Norma framed that plan as a $1.97 million per year commitment for three years funded by short‑term rental sales tax, a room tax contribution and a property tax levy contribution.

Legislators pressed administration for more detail. Several asked for line‑by‑line visibility of revenue assumptions and the list of enhancements and reductions incorporated in the recommended budget; one legislator asked each department to present its non‑property revenues and 2024 actuals in department hearings. Administration said it would provide additional spreadsheets and that the budget book includes department pages showing requests and recommendations.

No final votes occur tonight. The legislature scheduled the committee‑of‑the‑whole expanded budget review and multiple departmental hearings in September and October where members said they will examine revenue assumptions, municipal agreements such as TCAT funding, capital plans, and contested items.

Ending: County administration characterized the recommended budget as a “responsible” but difficult starting point that the legislature will revise through the regular public budget hearings and committee work over the coming weeks.