Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Government Operations topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Chair Black outlines 'strong, resilient, determined' state of Tompkins County, lists grants and priorities
Summary
Chair Shauna Black delivered a State of the County-style address highlighting that the county completed 145 committee meetings, adopted four local laws and over 300 resolutions in 2025, expanded streamed public meetings and secured multiple grants to support legal services, housing and airport projects.
Chair Shauna Black delivered a summary of county accomplishments and priorities for 2026 at the Jan. 20 meeting, framing the county as "strong, resilient, and determined." Her remarks highlighted administrative and programmatic accomplishments in 2025 and set priorities for continuing staff support, equity, and service delivery.
Black noted the county held 145 committee and legislature meetings last year, adopted four local laws and passed more than 300 resolutions. She cited awards and grants that bolstered county services including $1,000,000 in state support for assigned counsel, a $324,000 modernization grant for assessment systems, and USDA funding for food‑waste reduction. The county also expanded homelessness and housing work, increased mental‑health outreach in schools, and advanced infrastructure projects including airport route restorations.
County administration and department heads provided departmental highlights and implementation priorities for 2026, including filling key leadership positions, moving toward paperless county clerk services, and advancing an airport sustainability master plan. Black closed by thanking staff and legislators and announcing committee assignments for the year.
