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Legislature adopts amended 2026 budget with 3.37% levy increase after multiple amendments
Summary
After multiple amendment votes and debate over restorations for nonprofits, youth programs and airport options, Tompkins County adopted amendments to the 2026 tentative budget, setting a total levy of $56,750,294 (approx. 3.37% increase); the final adoption vote was unanimous.
Tompkins County legislators adopted a revised 2026 tentative budget after hours of committee reports, amendments and roll‑call votes.
Budget Chair Mike Lane explained the changes in a revised package that altered the tax rate by a few cents and added median price impacts and commercial property calculations. The legislature debated several amendments seeking to restore funding to supported agencies — including Cooperative Extension and community food organizations — and to change how airport debt might be accounted for. Some proposed restorations failed on close votes while others (including a $25,000 restoration for the Community Food Coalition) passed as amendments.
Norma and county finance staff provided updated levy figures: the adopted levy was reported as $56,750,294, yielding an estimated county tax payment of about $1,466.09 for a median‑priced home; the meeting record gives the adoption numbers and states the vote was unanimous.
Legislators said the process was difficult because departments and community groups had all taken cuts; some members urged a longer review of capital and airport options outside the immediate budget vote. The legislature scheduled a public hearing on the budget the following week.
The adoption establishes the county’s spending and capital program posture for 2026 and sets deadlines for the next procedural steps including a public hearing and a Nov. 13 follow‑up meeting.
