Ithaca City budget discussion clarifies WDAC funding, staff development and timeline for HR systems modernization

Councilmembers pressed Human Resources about a $39,000 staff development line in the 2026 budget and were told part of that total is an accounting presentation issue and part is a continuing encumbrance for the Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee.

Catherine, a human resources representative, told the council, “The $39,000 is actually an error in terms of the annual appropriation. … There have been $25,000 that has been earmarked for WDAC,” and that the remaining approximately $14,000 is “membership in professional associations, and attendance at conferences and so on.” She said the $25,000 is an encumbrance that has been held in prior years while WDAC develops recommended citywide equity and justice trainings.

The Workforce Diversity Advisory Committee is referenced in city charter and municipal code provisions establishing advisory bodies; the HR office said the committee has not yet finalized citywide training recommendations and that the funds are being reserved pending those recommendations.

On staffing, HR confirmed the budget assumes funding for both a deputy director and a director next year. The deputy director posting is live and interviews are underway; the administration expects to recruit for a permanent director after the deputy is in place in early 2026. HR provided salary ranges: deputy director $99,142–$118,970; equity talent acquisition specialist $83,678–$100,414; director $118,118–$141,742.

Councilmember Letterman asked whether both positions should be funded for the full year. Catherine replied the budget does include both positions for a full year but that personnel timing and specific offers would depend on civil service and hiring outcomes.

On payroll modernization, the council asked whether the city planned to automate payroll and other HR functions. Catherine and controller staff said the effort is in an early exploratory phase and would likely require a capital-style appropriation and an RFP process to select an enterprise system. The administration said it expects the work to move forward once permanent leadership is in place and estimated a mid‑2026 start if priorities and staffing align.

The HR office committed to providing council with more details on the WDAC encumbrance history and said they will return with specifics on the timing of funds and the committee’s recommendations.

Context and next steps: HR and the controller will provide detailed numbers and documentation to council on the WDAC encumbrances and staffing cost projections; any procurement for payroll enterprise systems would be brought back to council with cost estimates and RFP schedules.