After a public hearing, the Legislature, without dissent (Legislator Mike Sigler was excused), approved adoption of the 2019-2020 Tompkins Cortland Community College Operating Budget. The $35.7 million budget contains total sponsor support of $4,882,882, split between Tompkins and Cortland Counties based on proportional student enrollment, with Tompkins supporting nearly two-thirds of that. Both counties must agree on the level of sponsor support, and this year’s operating budget, already approved by Cortland County, contains a 5% increase in sponsor support, the first increase in several years. Both Legislator Rich John and Chair Martha Robertson expressed thanks to Cortland County for supporting the increase in sponsor support.
“This is the culmination of a very long process by TC3 administration and the board of trustees,” said budget committee chair Michael Lane, who also serves as the County’s liaison to the TC3 board. “It’s no secret that they have had a tough time this year, but they’re working their way through, and we know we will have a strong college at the end of it.”