Tompkins Cortland Community College seeks $251,100 county capital allocation; presents operating budget

Tompkins Cortland Community College presented its proposed 2026–27 operating budget to the Tompkins County Legislature on June 16 and requested $251,100 from Tompkins County toward capital projects, a portion of a state‑matched package the college said would double to $810,000 in combined county and state funding.

"We're coming in at a balanced budget of about $34,000,000–$34,500,000," TC3 President Amy Kremenek told legislators, emphasizing that state aid per full‑time equivalent student has remained flat for years while wage and benefit costs are rising. Kremenek said student tuition and fees will remain the same for the coming year and the college is projecting roughly 5% enrollment growth.

Kremenek outlined capital needs and asked the legislature to approve a county allocation of $251,100 to secure state matching funds. "We can double your money with your approval of our capital budget," she said, describing a $405,000 county-plus‑Cortland contribution that would become an $810,000 project with state match. The request is scheduled for a public hearing through the legislative consent process.

Student Sadia Doak described her experience as a single mother and TC3 student, crediting the college’s homeless‑coordinator and recovery‑support services for stabilizing her family: "They helped me find housing within a couple weeks and I was able to start classes homeless — and I still made A’s and B’s." The college will return to the legislature for a public hearing and final approval of its operating and capital budgets.