Cayuga County Legislature approves college budget, fund transfers and USGS gauge contract; staff report building study and summer jobs

The Cayuga County Legislature on Tuesday approved three resolutions: the 2025–26 Cayuga Community College budget, a transfer of funds in the county clerk’s budget to pay for temporary professional services, and a five-year contract with the U.S. Geological Survey to upgrade a lake gauge station and add live video monitoring.

The measures were taken during the regular meeting after departmental reports. County staff and outside consultants also briefed legislators on a consultant-led assessment of a county-owned building, summer youth employment numbers, and an information-technology plan to relocate the county data center.

Why it matters: The college budget secures the county’s sponsor payment for the coming year; the clerk’s transfer preserves short-term office capacity while vacancies are filled; and the USGS upgrade aims to give real-time video alerts on high water and potential blockages at a lake inlet, a tool county officials said would speed emergency response.

On the college budget, Kelly Albrecht, chief financial officer for Keuka (Cayuga area) College, told legislators the proposed 2025–26 budget assumes 1,760 full-time-equivalent students and a 3% tuition increase. She said the college held a fund balance that allowed one-time equipment pre‑purchases that improve the college’s cushion for next year. The county’s sponsor payment requested in the budget remained flat at $3,200,000.

Legislators moved GO2 (the college budget) onto the floor and approved it without recorded opposition. Kelly Albrecht answered questions from legislators about enrollment estimates and cost pressures tied to employee health-insurance increases.

The legislature also approved a transfer of funds in the county clerk’s budget (resolution GO1) that shifts salary money into a professional services line to retain temporary contract support following a retirement. County staff said the transfer repurposes previously budgeted scanning-project money to pay for the contractor through the end of the year.

Separately, the county approved PO1, a five-year agreement with the U.S. Geological Survey to upgrade a gauge station that monitors lake level at the inlet on the lake’s south end. County staff said the station upgrade will add live video monitoring to complement flow data, producing real-time alerts to county emergency management, municipalities and the city. The contract includes a routine five-year termination clause tied to the availability of the county’s FLOPA funds that currently cover the county’s share; staff said the station costs are not being paid directly from the general fund but from those dedicated funds.

Beyond the votes, consultant Roy Fitzpatrick reported progress on an assessment of a county-owned building. Fitzpatrick said his team secured basement access and is compiling detailed cost estimates and options for remediation, rehab or other reuses. He told the legislature the team aims to present detailed costed options in September and will help prepare any subsequent request for proposals if the legislature narrows options.

Bill, a county staff member overseeing the summer employment program, reported the county’s summer program started July 1 with 70 youth placed and 115 applications received — the most applications since before the COVID‑19 pandemic. He said the program reduced weekly hours to accommodate more participants, placed youth in three county departments this year (buildings and grounds, highway, and social services), and supplied five placements at Cayuga Community College across maintenance, custodial, IT and the arts. He said summer placements serve ages 14–21 while the year-round federal program serves 16–24. Funding sources discussed included the youth bureau and other grant lines; staff said they will pursue additional youth bureau funding if needed.

Tom Hahn, county IT director, reported completion of staff moves into 63 Genesee Street and the start of a .gov domain migration for departments, beginning with the Board of Elections, to be rolled out through the summer. Hahn said vendor fiber installation remains the longest lead item for full data-center relocation and estimated 90–120 days once fiber work is underway.

The meeting concluded with a motion to enter executive session; the motion carried and the legislature recessed into closed session.

Votes at a glance: GO2 (2025–26 Cayuga Community College budget) — moved, seconded and approved; GO1 (transfer of funds, county clerk) — approved; PO1 (five‑year USGS gauge station contract) — approved. No roll-call vote tallies were recorded in the public transcript for these items.

Looking ahead: Consultants will return with detailed, costed options on the county building in September. County staff said they will continue outreach for strategic‑plan public meetings and expect further updates on grant consultant hiring in August.