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Cayuga Lake watershed group urges higher dues to sustain watershed manager; county share proposed
Summary
The Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization and county staff outlined watershed projects and asked member governments to support an updated dues formula that phases in a $130,000 funding goal to sustain a watershed manager position.
Isaac Walker, watershed manager, and Roxy Johnston, chair of the Cayuga Lake Watershed Intermunicipal Organization (C‑WIO), presented their 2025 work plan to the county Planning, Energy and Environmental Quality Committee on July 14 and described a proposal to increase member dues to sustain the watershed manager role.
Johnston said C‑WIO previously used a flat fee that proved unsustainable for a full‑time watershed manager. The organization set a $90,000 funding goal earlier but now proposes a larger $130,000 goal to meet New York State minimums for exempt employees and to retain experienced staff. The group proposes phasing the increase in over three years (2026–2028) with a stepped approach (about 80% of the full assessed amount in 2026, 90% in 2027 and 100% in 2028) to avoid sudden increases for some members.
The proposal divides costs among counties (about 30% of the goal) and municipalities (towns, villages and city). The presentation showed Tompkins County’s calculated share as $19,039 at 100% funding; phased values discussed in the meeting were $15,232 for 2026 (80%) and $17,136 for 2027 (90%). Johnston and Walker said the watershed manager helps municipalities secure grant funding, coordinate multi‑town projects and provide technical assistance on stormwater, ditches and culverts.
Walker reviewed recent projects that C‑WIO and partners advanced in 2024–25, including DEC WQIP funding for a salt storage facility in the Town of Covert, an invasive‑insect treatment partnership in state parks, and road ditch/culvert assessments in Seneca County that will feed implementation grant applications.
Committee members expressed support for county leadership on the dues increase and discussed including a higher line in the county’s 2026 budget; no formal county vote was taken during the meeting. County staff said they would discuss the possible budget increase with administration during forthcoming budget meetings.
