Jefferson Community College presents 2025–26 spending plan; Legislature adopts budget and appropriation

Dr. Daniel Dubi, president of Jefferson Community College, delivered the college's 2025—26 budget presentation to the Jefferson County Finance and Rules Committee and outlined enrollment, program and funding projections. Later in the meeting the full Jefferson County Legislature moved to adopt the college's 2025—26 budget and to approve an appropriation for the conduct of the college; both measures passed on voice votes.

The presentation and subsequent vote matter because the county is the college's sponsor and provides a portion of operating support. County sponsorship and state and restricted grant funding determine how the college sets tuition, uses fund balance, and plans investments in programs and facilities that affect students and the local workforce.

Dub i and Sid Pahn, vice president for administration and finance, told legislators the college's head count was about 2,400 in the most recent fall semester with roughly 1,550 full-time-equivalent (FTE) students; about 70% of enrolled students are Jefferson County residents. The college awarded 378 degrees last year, and leaders highlighted program changes intended to better match local job demand: an expanded nursing cohort, planned advanced-manufacturing and mechatronics programs to serve local employers, and the planned renovation of Building 3 funded in part by a Next Move New York award.

Pahn said the proposed operating budget includes a 4% tuition increase (about $108 for a full-time student for one semester) and requests a 2% increase in the county sponsor contribution, a rise the college estimated at roughly $112,000. The state's enacted budget will continue a base operating level the college cited as about $6.3 million; the college also expects two restricted state grants that must be used for new spending. Jefferson's share of those restricted grants was reported in the presentation as about $175,000 for one grant and $108,000 for the other, both earmarked for defined, non-operating uses such as nursing, mental-health support and high-demand workforce programs.

College leaders said they planned to reduce planned fund-balance use compared with the prior year because enrollment increased and some positions remain unfilled after retirements; they estimated fund-balance use for 2025—26 at roughly $450,000 to $750,000, down from about $1.46 million budgeted the prior year. The proposal showed a total operating budget near $26.6 million and a funding mix the presenters described as roughly one-third tuition, one-third local sponsor (county), and one-third state support; the presentation cited a breakdown of tuition 32%, local 36% and state 25%.

On program specifics, Dubi noted nursing capacity was increased previously from 48 to 60 students and that the most recent graduating cohort included 56 graduates, all reported employed. The college expects to house expanded advanced-manufacturing labs in Building 3 after renovations supported by roughly $4 million in Next Move New York funding. The presentation also described a small dental-hygiene pilot managed with Monroe Community College and a SUNY Reconnect eligibility explanation for older adult students.

After the presentation, legislators asked questions about residence-hall capacity, current occupancy and the SUNY Reconnect program. Legislator Bolio asked about dorm capacity and use; Pahn and Dubi said the halls have a capacity of about 300 beds, with occupancy that varies by semester and a post-pandemic recovery still underway. Legislator McBride asked whether SUNY Reconnect carries a work requirement; Pahn said it does not, distinguishing it from earlier programs that required work conditions.

Later in the session the Legislature considered two formal items related to the college: a resolution adopting the Jefferson Community College 2025—26 budget and a separate appropriation resolution to provide funds for the conduct of the college in fiscal year 2025—26. Both motions were moved and seconded on the record and passed by voice vote; individual roll-call tallies were not recorded in the meeting transcript.

The college indicated it will finalize a new strategic plan for 2025—30 in the fall and roll out program and partnership changes to align curriculum with regional workforce needs. County adoption of the budget allows the college to proceed with tuition changes, restricted-grant spending plans and capital work identified in the presentation.