The Cayuga County Legislature voted to move $30,000 from its contingency account to restore part‑time salary funding for the Ag/Museum after multiple residents and museum leaders warned that program cuts would force reduced hours and end community events.

Tim Quill, longtime museum director, described years of volunteer fundraising and said the proposed tentative 2026 budget reduced museum lines by roughly 29.56 percent from his requested figures. “In the 17 years that I’ve been director, I have not once come before the legislature asking for funds,” Quill said, urging that the legislature reinstate $18,000–$30,000 to avoid program cancellations.

Legislators debated whether pulling contingency funds before the budget begins was prudent and whether $18,000 would be a more fiscally responsible restoration than $30,000. After a motion to table and additional discussion about other possible revenue sources and budget neutral fixes, the body proceeded to a roll‑call sequence and approved taking $30,000 from contingency (account cited in floor discussion) and assigning it to the museum’s part‑time salary line.

Community speakers emphasized the museum’s role for children, senior citizens and tourism, noting that local programs including holiday events, school programs and accessibility for disabled visitors would be jeopardized by further cuts. Several legislators urged a longer review of budget amendments but said this targeted restoration responded to immediate community concerns.

The transfer was presented as reversible by future budget amendments; legislators said they could revisit allocations during ongoing budget work if alternative revenue or offsets are identified.