Tompkins County administrator warns of budget pressures, updates on shelter and HHAP application

County Administrator Corsa told the Tompkins County Council of Governments that the county is moving to complete a permanent-shelter application under the state HHAP program and has leased the Roadway Hotel to use as an emergency shelter.

"We have leased the whole of the Roadway Hotel and using that as a shelter. So, it's no more a hotel. It is a shelter," Corsa said, adding that the county has state certification to run family and single-adult shelter operations at the site. He reported a recent room fire that required one resident to be transported to Syracuse for burns and smoke inhalation, and said the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance is reviewing the incident before any decision on the resident's return.

On budgeting, Corsa said the county is still awaiting final state budget action and that his office expects to issue an RFP for HHAP funds when the state budget passes. He outlined preliminary projections for the 2027 budget that show significant upward pressure on the tax levy, driven by higher fringe costs, payroll and contract increases and rising assigned-counsel expenses. "Each percentile increase gives us about 1 point ... is about $560,000," he said, adding that current calculations show the tax-cap position and that the county may need programmatic changes or to exceed the cap if revenues remain flat.

Members asked for clarifications on fringe and contract drivers; Corsa said fringe rate increases tied to pension and health costs were a key factor and that the county has compiled multi-year actuals to use in departmental budget reviews. He encouraged departments to prepare precise justifications for outlier expense requests as the county begins its budget process.

The administrator also said the shelter site's damaged room is gutted pending repairs, two adjacent rooms were cleaned and residents returned, and volunteers from Volunteers of America are supporting clients at the site.