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Ways and Means reviews tentative 2026 budget as foster‑care costs, security cuts and DMV staffing spark concern
Summary
At a Nov. 13 Ways & Means meeting, the budget director warned the county faces a $1.7 million jump in foster‑care local share and highlighted proposed staffing and service cuts; legislators pressed for offsets and clarity on tax-rate calculations and public‑facing security funding.
At a special Ways & Means meeting on Nov. 13, Cayuga County budget director Lynn walked legislators through the tentative 2026 budget and warned of sharp cost pressures and operational risks if proposed cuts stand.
Lynn said the county’s local share for foster care has risen by $1,700,000, driven largely by higher daily placement rates beyond county control. She told the committee the increase is a principal driver of this year’s budget stress and will require either fund-balance draw, revenue increases or cuts elsewhere to balance the budget.
The committee also focused on staffing reductions proposed across several public-facing departments. Department of Social Services staff…
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