Finance director reports sales-tax growth, announces resignation

Darryl Tuttle, Tompkins County director of finance, presented May 2026 sales-tax figures and briefed the Legislature on the status of the county budget before announcing his resignation. Tuttle said May collections totaled $6,873,000 (an 8.59% increase from May 2025) and that year-to-date county totals were $34,760,000 (a 6.27% increase year-over-year). He noted municipal and city shares and that unallocated budget-to-actual sits around 41.24%.

Tuttle said the initial request total of departmental asks was $310,700,000 with projected revenues near $3,236,000,000 and a net local share of $73,900,000, leaving a gap of about $17,000,000 compared with the adopted 2026 tax levy. "As of yesterday, I have submitted my resignation to chairperson, Shawna Black," Tuttle said, adding his official last day will be August 20 and that he will help ensure a smooth transition. Legislators thanked him for his service and noted the budget pressures he outlined; administration said it will return with a more detailed budget update in August and a recommended budget on September 1.