Pin It
tc_seal120Legislature Moves Ahead With Center of Government Study

The Legislature, by unanimous vote of those present (Legislators Brian Robison, Nathan Shinagawa, and Kathy Luz Herrera were excused) appropriated additional funding and awarded HOLT Architects of Ithaca the professional consulting contract to perform a business case analysis examining the Center of Government concept, at a cost not to exceed $125,000.  The cost-benefit analysis will compare county government’s current space configuration for central core operations, housed in several County-owned and leased facilities with the estimated cost of housing all or part of those operations in a single administrative building.

The Legislature allocated  an additional $75,000 in contingency funds for the study, beyond the $50,000 approved late last year, to support an increased scope of work, which  incorporates additional County departments and examines alternate use of existing space, should departments relocate.  At the time the initial funding was approved, it was noted that additional funding would be requested if the scope of work increased.

The study was recommended by the Capital Plan Review Committee, as a way to take a reasoned, long-term look at the most efficient and cost-effective way to configure and accommodate the County’s space needs.

Before the final vote, the only issue debated was whether to include in resolution language a reference to in-kind support provided by the County facilities manager.  Reference to the dollar amount involved ultimately was deleted after two amendment votes.  Some legislators expressed concern that such language will set a troubling precedent for other projects.

Legislature Accepts Two Grants

The Legislature accepted two grant awards, both by unanimous vote of those present (Legislators Brian Robison, Nathan Shinagawa, and Kathy Luz Herrera were excused).

The Legislature accepted a $37,500 grant from the New York State Office of Emergency Management  to perform the required five-year update of the Tompkins County Multi-Jurisdictional All-Hazard Mitigation Plan.  The update is needed to ensure continued eligibility for Federal Emergency Management Agency pre-disaster mitigation funding. The County will administer the grant on behalf of all the county’s municipalities.

Also approved was a $30,000 grant from an anonymous foundation to support the Drug Treatment Courts of Tompkins County.

Among other business,
  • The Legislature appropriated $11,000 in contingent funding to assist the Board of Elections and Department of Assessment in developing streamlined processes to enable them to maintain or improve operations at a time of severely constrained resources through the County’s ongoing “Smart Work” Training Program. County Administrator Joe Mareane told legislators that so far the County has spent $16,000 of the $40,000 in contingent funding allocated for such “Smart Work” projects.
  • County Administrator Mareane presented legislators a preliminary budget simulator learning tool to assist legislators in learning about county programs and to take a first general look at what the potential dollar impact of possible budget reductions might be.
  • Tompkins County Area Development presented an overview of the revolving economic development loan fund administered by the agency.
  • Legislature Chair Martha Robertson issued a proclamation proclaiming the month of May 2011 as Teen Immunization Awareness Month, emphasizing the importance of immunizations for teenagers and calling upon parents, health care providers, and other human service organizations to increase awareness of the importance of vaccinating teenagers prior to their 18th birthday.  The proclamation notes that immunizations are among the best ways parents can protect their children against serious diseases.

v7i17
Pin It