Resolution to Issue Request for Proposals for Broadband Services Passes
Tompkins County recently completed a study that identified 1,200 local locations that are unserved by broadband internet access, around 3.9% of the nearly 31,000 total locations in the County. The Legislature, upon examination of the results of the study, approved the issuance of a Request for Proposals (RFP) to gather options to expand broadband access locally with a unanimous resolution (14-0).
The RFP will solicit proposals from qualified broadband providers to design, construct, operate, and maintain a broadband network that will serve those 1,200 locations. The Legislature has prioritized broadband internet access and the recent study is one of several investments, including supporting a Newfield-based project. ECC Consultants, the group who completed the recent study, will also be analyzing whether a County-wide municipally owned broadband would be feasible – something that has been talked about several times over the past few decades by area elected officials.
Legislator Dan Klein (D-Danby) asked that the resolution be sent back to committee, as he felt that the Tompkins County Council of Governments is more apt to support a County-wide municipally owned broadband service. That option is being explored by the consultant, and the delay, according to Klein, would give time for a more full assessment of options before an RFP is issued. In response to the proposed amendment, Legislator Mike Lane (D-Dryden) remarked that such County-wide broadband would be prohibitively expensive. Klein’s motion failed 6-8 (Legislators Klein (D-Danby), John (D-Ithaca), Pillar (D-Ithaca), Shurtleff (R-Groton), Champion (D-Ithaca), and Dawson (D-Lansing) in favor).
Resolution Passes Asking Governor to Veto Bill Impacting Timing of Elections
A resolution passed 10-4 (Legislators Lane (D-Dryden), Koreman (D-Ulysses), Brooks (D-Ithaca), and Black (D-Ithaca) opposed) urging New York State Governor Kathy Hochul to veto a bill that would require local elections for County and town elections to be held in even-numbered years. The resolution cites the increased workload for local boards of elections in those even-numbered years and the potential size of paper ballots and impact voting machines’ ability to accommodate them. Legislator Deborah Dawson (D-Lansing) spoke to the impact on local boards of elections work cycles, opining that they’d have very busy years and some years with far less to do.
Legislator Mike Lane stated he was staunchly opposed to the local resolution urging a veto, as the State legislation could increase voter participation in elections, “…there’s probably no more sacred right than the right to vote,” adding that voter turnout is critical and that a bill such as this one being considered by the Governor would in fact support the right to vote by increasing turnout and interest in elections. Legislator Lee Shurtleff (R-Groton) supported the resolution, contending that the number of officials to be elected on any even year’s ballot could be overwhelming and “counterproductive” because there would be many different races. Shurtleff added that many races could be left with blank ballots for local races as people don’t know as much about those races. Legislator Veronica Pillar (D-Ithaca) added that they feel the bill doesn’t support voter turnout in a meaningful-enough way to not support the call for a veto.
Among Other Business
Chairwoman of the Legislature Shawna Black read a proclamation celebrating Juneteenth in Tompkins County, with the day being acknowledged with a paid County holiday on June 19. The proclamation explained the monstrous history of slavery and inequities experienced African Americans while celebrating achievements and markers of progress in Black liberation. Staff and youth from Southside Community Center joined the meeting to accept the proclamation.