Tompkins County Budget Public Forum Taking Place October 7, 7pm, Public Comment Opportunities
Tompkins County Administrator Jason Molino and Legislator Martha Robertson, Chair of the Budget, Capital, and Personnel Committee will hold a public forum on the 2021 budget on Wednesday, October 7, at 7pm. Members of the public are invited to view the forum and participate via public comment. The Tompkins County budget constitutes nearly $200 million and supports 30 departments serving the public. The County Legislature is seeking public input on where the County invests public funds in its 2021 budget, and an opportunity to share priorities with the community.
Past budget presentations and budget documents can be found on the website here.
Community members looking to submit public comment can request access to the zoom meeting by emailing Tompkins County Communications Director Dominick Recckio at drecckio (@) tompkins-co.org, or tune in to the YouTube event and engage through the chat function. The forum will be archived at the same YouTube link and will be available for viewing at any time.
Resolution Passed in Support of Tompkins Cortland Community College
A resolution advancing next year’s (2021) financial allocation from Tompkins County to Tompkins Cortland Community College (TC3) passed unanimously (14-0). Legislators and County Administrator Jason Molino recently met with the college and Cortland County officials to discuss uncertainties stemming from the New York State budget process, and the best path to support TC3. Legislator Mike Lane (D-Dryden), who also serves as the county Liaison to the TC3 Board of Trustees, commented on the difficulties faced by community colleges during the pandemic, and the importance of supporting TC3 during financially uncertain times. The advanced allocations for 2021 will total just over $3 million.
Human Resources Commissioner Confirmed by Legislature
Tompkins County Administrator Jason Molino introduced Ruby Pulliam for confirmation by the Legislature for a six-year appointment as Human Resources Commissioner. Pulliam’s appointment was confirmed unanimously (14-0). Pulliam comes to Tompkins County from the City of Niagara Falls, N.Y. where she serves as the Director of Personnel and Equal Employment Opportunity Officer, supervising workforce diversity, Civil Service processes, recruitment, and benefits administration. Legislators Leslyn McBean-Clairborne (D-Ithaca) and Martha Robertson (D-Dryden) served on the search committee and remarked on Pulliam’s expertise and vision for the County’s human resources operations.
Robertson also gave a special thanks to Deputy County Administrator Lisa Holmes for serving as the interim Commissioner since August, 2019 and through the COVID-19 pandemic and search process.
Among Other Business
Legislators heard an update on the local COVID-19 response from County Administrator Jason Molino and Public Health Director Frank Kruppa. Updates included details on schools reopening, ongoing community collaborations with the Emergency Operations Center, and the community testing program supported by the Legislature.
A comprehensive document outlining the Tompkins County’s COVID-19 response can be found here. Contacts: Jason Molino, Tompkins County Administrator, 607-274-5551; Frank Kruppa, Tompkins County Public Health Director, 607-274-6674