Tompkins County legislature schedules special election, orders NYSEG audit and approves airport chargers in unanimous votes

The Tompkins County Legislature on April 1 unanimously scheduled a special election for Legislative District 3, passed a resolution demanding an independent audit of New York State Electric & Gas (NYSEG) billing practices, and approved a public–private agreement to install two direct-current fast chargers at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport.

Why it matters: The actions package affects election timing in the city of Ithaca, seeks external review of utility billing that residents say has sharply risen, and adds electric-vehicle infrastructure to a county-owned facility — all measures with immediate operational or political impact.

The legislature added a special-election resolution (ID 13205) to the agenda and voted to hold the election on June 24, 2025. The body also added and then approved a locally‑introduced resolution (ID 13216) requesting an independent audit of NYSEG billing practices; sponsors said constituents have reported sudden, large increases in monthly bills and inconsistent customer service responses. Separately, the legislature approved a county partnership with Green Spot for two dual‑port, 200‑kilowatt DC fast chargers at the Ithaca airport (ID 13181). County officials said the project requires no upfront capital from the county and will remit a portion of revenue to airport operations.

Other measures approved without rollcall contention included: acceptance of surplus transit vehicles transferred from Capital District Transportation Authority (CDTA) for TCAT use (ID 13153); authorization to accept Justice Assistance Grant funds and contract with Rochester Institute of Technology to study the Sheriff’s CARE (Scribe Alternative Response and Engagement) team (ID 13186); several airport contract items and minor budget adjustments carried on the consent agenda.

Votes and next steps: All the items listed above passed by unanimous voice votes at the April 1 meeting. The special-election resolution directs county staff and the Tompkins County Board of Elections to carry out required election steps; the resolution on NYSEG calls for an independent review and does not itself direct procurement of auditors. The airport charging agreement will be implemented under a partnership contract with Green Spot; county staff said other municipalities in Tompkins County have been offered the same vendor arrangements and that the airport’s short‑term parking rules (30 minutes free) will remain in place.

Several legislators spoke during debate on the NYSEG measure. Sponsor Legislator Shauna Black described constituent complaints and said the issue is time‑sensitive. Legislator Mike Sigler said he would meet NYSEG regional staff and report back; he also described an exchange in which NYSEG characterized some social‑media criticism as “seditious,” which he relayed to the body. County staff and legislators said they expect follow‑up meetings with NYSEG and to share any vendor responses publicly.

Because the special election falls inside a compressed statutory window, the county clerk and board of elections will operate under the Tompkins County charter and applicable New York election statutes; independent candidates must gather 74 valid signatures within the time window set by statute and county rules. The legislature’s scheduling resolution states that the winner will take office immediately to serve the remainder of the term through the end of the year.

Votes at a glance (selected items) • Scheduling special election for Legislative District 3 (ID 13205) — outcome: approved (voice; unanimous). Special election date: June 24, 2025; independent petitions required: 74 signatures; early voting: available beginning 10 days before election day. • Resolution demanding independent audit of NYSEG billing practices (ID 13216) — outcome: approved (voice; unanimous). • Partnership agreement to install two dual‑port 200 kW DC fast chargers at Ithaca Tompkins International Airport (ID 13181) — outcome: approved (voice; unanimous). County receives a portion of charging revenues; vendor funds installation and interconnection. • Acceptance of fleet transfer from CDTA to TCAT (ID 13153) — outcome: approved (voice; unanimous). Surplus buses transferred to TCAT to address operating shortfalls. • Authorization to accept Justice Assistance Grant funds and contract with Rochester Institute of Technology to study Sheriff CARE team (ID 13186) — outcome: approved (voice; unanimous).

What’s next: County staff will coordinate with the Board of Elections on the special-election logistics and with Green Spot and airport staff on site design and permitting for the chargers. Legislators said they expect follow‑up briefings on NYSEG responses and any audits that may proceed.