Committee approves six resolutions including new court-based mental health position and law enforcement recruitment funds

Tompkins County’s Budget, Capital and Personnel Committee unanimously approved six resolutions at its April 10 meeting, authorizing new positions and a set of mid‑year budget adjustments tied to final state grant awards.

The committee voted to accept state funding and create a social‑work position for a court‑based mental health navigation program (ID 13170); to approve a contingent fund appropriation to support law‑enforcement recruitment advertising (ID 13189); and to adopt four budget adjustments submitted by the Office for the Aging reflecting final 2024 grant awards and allocations (IDs listed below). All motions passed by unanimous voice/hand vote at the committee meeting.

Why it matters: several of the approvals authorize staff positions or contract increases that will be implemented in 2025 and are largely funded by state or federal grant dollars. The Office for the Aging adjustments correct earlier budget estimates after New York State finalized four‑year allocations.

Details of items voted

- Resolution ID 13170 — Accept funds, create position and complete budget adjustment for court‑based mental health navigation (Whole Health): motion moved by Shauna Black, seconded by Veronica Pillar. The resolution creates a new social‑work position to support people who go through mental health court; the state (OMH) will fund the position. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Note: the staff said the position did not exist in the 2024 court system payroll and is being newly created for 2025.

- Resolution ID 13189 — Contingent fund appropriation for county administration and the Community Justice Center for law‑enforcement recruitment advertising: motion moved by Veronica Pillar, seconded by Shauna Black. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Committee discussion noted earlier questions about the most effective media outlets and that the Community Justice Center and legislators would continue conversations about where to place advertising (example outlets discussed included WSKG).

- Office for the Aging budget adjustments (six related items discussed; committee approved a package of decreases and increases as staff reconciled final state grant awards): motions were moved and seconded on the floor (multiple motions; primary mover names included below). Staff explained the adjustments reflect delayed New York State final allocations for the 2024–2027 four‑year plan; as a result some Title III lines were reduced and others increased. Outcome: approved (unanimous). Specific IDs discussed on the record included 13210 (Title III‑B decrease), 13211 (Nutrition Services Incentive Program decrease), 13213 (Community Services for the Elderly increase), and 13315 (Wellness and Nutrition increase). Committee fiscal staff indicated that, after all corrections, the Office for the Aging finished the reconciliation ‘‘ahead’’ overall.

Votes and formalities

All resolutions brought to a vote in committee passed by unanimous vote. Movers and seconders recorded on the transcript are noted above. The meeting record shows five legislators present in Chambers for the vote (Legislators Veronica Pillar, Lee Shirtliff, Randy Brown, Shauna Black and the chair, identified in the transcript as Deborah); one legislator (Mike Lane) was not on camera and was not counted among those voting.

What the committee did not do

The committee did not adopt any new countywide policy changes as part of these resolutions beyond approving appropriations and position creation tied to specific grants. Several items require later personnel or procurement steps, and staff said they will return to the legislature to finalize hiring or contract language as needed.

Ending

Staff and finance personnel told the committee they will update the legislature with final budget accounting and any needed clarifications once state reimbursements are processed.