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Tompkins County to run temporary Code Blue shelter in repurposed building; 60–80 beds planned
Summary
County administration said the KeyBank/Keith building will be repurposed for Code Blue operations this winter with Social Services as point of access, staffing positions to be created and a 2024 budget adjustment approved to cover setup and personnel costs.
County Administrator Lisa Holmes told the legislature the county will operate Code Blue this season from a repurposed site (the Keith building) because no third‑party vendor proposals were viable. Holmes said the county expects to shelter 60–80 individuals nightly during Code Blue hours (7 p.m.–7 a.m.), with Social Services serving as the point of access and county staff posted as shelter workers.
The legislature added two related items to the agenda and later approved them: Resolution K creates seasonal shelter‑worker and senior shelter‑worker job classifications for the Department of Social Services; Resolution L authorizes a 2024 budget adjustment to cover program expenses including personnel, cots, portable toilets/showers, laundry and supplies (program expenses cited in staff materials total approximately $404,462). "We're preparing communications for neighboring property owners and businesses," Holmes said, and noted job postings for shelter positions will be released if the legislature approves staffing titles.
