Council approves September 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes, 8–0

Approval of September 28, 2026 Meeting Minutes

8 yes, 0 no

Irene Weiser (yes), Rachel Graham (yes), Christopher Sponn (yes), Iris Packman (yes), Rachel Ostlund (yes), Samantha Allmendinger (yes), John Halaychik (yes), Veronica Pillar (yes)

Approval of September 22, 2026 Meeting Minutes

5 yes, 0 no

Resolution: Contract with TRAC Group for Electronic Monitoring

5 yes, 0 no

Resolution: Acceptance of ILS Funding for Family Defense Grant Extension

5 yes, 0 no

Acceptance and Authorization to Submit the Comprehensive EMS Plan

5 yes, 0 no

September 22, 2026

5 yes, 0 no

Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Plan

The county's Department of Emergency Response was scheduled to present a comprehensive EMS plan, which could shape how ambulance and emergency medical services are delivered countywide. No outcome is known.

What it means: Residents countywide who rely on emergency medical services.

Countywide drug task force and methamphetamine seizures

Since February, the countywide Drug Task Force has made six arrests, seized 755 grams of drugs worth about $60,000, taken two guns off the street, and has 27 active investigations reaching into other states. Members want campus police invited to join.

What it means: Residents affected by drug trafficking and gun violence in the community.

Family Defense Grant Extension

A $750,000 state grant extension creates a Family Defense Unit to help parents in neglect and abuse cases — with the state covering 100% of the new attorney and support staff, saving the county money while improving legal representation.

What it means: No county cost — the state reimburses 100% of the new unit, and the grant offsets existing family court expenses.

Automated License Plate Readers (ALPR) Update

The Sheriff's Office was scheduled to update the committee on automated license plate readers, a technology with implications for both law enforcement capability and privacy. No outcome is known.

What it means: Law enforcement agencies investigating crimes, and potentially crime victims.

Vehicle Use Tax as EMS Funding Mechanism

Chair Travis Brooks is exploring raising the county vehicle use tax to bankroll a countywide EMS program. The county attorney confirmed it's legally possible through the home rule process and the money can be used for any county purpose — but no amount has been proposed yet.

What it means: Could fund faster ambulance coverage countywide if adopted.

Countywide EMS System Strain and Comprehensive EMS Plan

Tompkins County gets about 17,000 EMS calls a year, ambulances are tied up nearly an hour per call, and five towns have no ambulance stationed in their territory. The new state-required EMS plan sets goals like countywide response-time standards, expanded mental health response, and alternative transport destinations — and the committee wants legislators to help chase down missing survey responses from towns.

What it means: Everyone who might ever need an ambulance — especially residents in the five towns without local ambulance coverage.

Proposed Special Victims Unit in the Sheriff's Office

The sheriff is building a Special Victims Unit for sex offenses and crimes against children, and public commenters showed up to cheer it on — while also urging the DA's office to build a matching survivor-centered prosecution approach.

What it means: Survivors of sexual violence and children who need specialized investigation and prosecution.

Illegal Cannabis Enforcement

The county and city are about to fire their first shot: an eviction demand against a business selling illicit cannabis. If the operator doesn't comply, an eviction action could follow.

What it means: Licensed cannabis businesses and neighborhoods affected by illicit sales.

2027 County Budget and 2027-2031 Capital Program

The county's proposed 2027 spending plan and five-year capital program were up for public comment. What residents said at this hearing can shape the final budget the Legislature adopts.

What it means: The 2027 budget sets how county tax dollars will be spent next year and what capital projects move forward.

Vehicle Use Tax Discussion

Chair Brooks has been pushing a higher vehicle use tax to bankroll a countywide EMS program. The county attorney confirmed it's legally possible through the home rule process, and staff will now benchmark rates against other counties and estimate how much money it could raise.

What it means: Could fund faster ambulance coverage countywide.

Community Control Over Surveillance Legislation

The sheriff's office walked the committee through the Axon Fleet 3 camera system proposed under the GIV grant — about $160,000 for eight vehicles. Unlike the Flock system, it only searches plates you already know about, and all searches log into evidence.com for accountability.

What it means: About $160,000 from the GIV grant would equip eight patrol vehicles.

Kratom Regulation

No county update was ready on kratom, a substance tied to injuries; the county attorney promised a written report before the next meeting and will track pending state legislation.

What it means: Residents at risk from kratom-related injuries if enforcement or regulation follows.

Special Victims Unit and Survivor-Centered Prosecution

A resident urged the committee to pair the sheriff's planned Special Victims Unit for sex offenses and crimes against children with a complementary plan in the District Attorney's office — specialized prosecution, trauma-informed communication, and success measures beyond conviction counts.

What it means: Survivors of sexual violence and crimes against children.

Indigent Legal Services Grant Extension

A $750,000 three-year state grant extension will create a Family Defense Unit in the Assigned Counsel Program, fully reimbursed by the state, to help parents in CPS neglect and abuse cases — with the goal of reducing removals of children from families and cutting county costs.

What it means: No net county cost — the state reimburses 100% of the new unit's costs.

Comprehensive EMS Plan and Countywide EMS Future

The county's new EMS plan heads to the state with sobering numbers: 17,000 emergency calls a year, ambulances tied up nearly an hour per call, and five towns without ambulances based in their territory. Short-term goals include countywide performance standards and expanded mental health response; long-term goals include transporting low-acuity patients to urgent care instead of the ER.

What it means: Everyone who might ever need an ambulance — especially residents in rural towns with slow response times.

2026 Workforce Diversity and Inclusion Goals and Priorities

The committee will review its 2026 goals and priorities, shaping how the county advances equity and inclusion in its workforce.

What it means: County employees and residents who benefit from inclusive workforce practices.

Comprehensive Paid Caregiver Leave Policy

The committee's 2026 goal of a comprehensive paid caregiver leave policy passed as Resolution 2026-52 in March, but the policy is now sitting with county administration and isn't in the 2027 budget. Members want a timeline and plan to keep tracking it, since implementation likely depends on union negotiations.

What it means: The policy is not included in the 2027 county budget plan, and costs would depend on whether the county opts into the state program.

Countywide Minimum Wage Study

The minimum wage study the committee championed is done and public online, but action on its findings has moved to the Legislature's Housing and Economic Development Committee, which plans a working group. WDIC members agreed their work on this item is complete.

What it means: Low-wage workers countywide if the Legislature acts on the study's findings.

Leslie McLean Claiborne Strength and Diversity Award

The committee's planned diversity award stalled in 2026 and will now have to be awarded in 2027. Members want the award webpage updated with past recipients and an announcement that nominations are open.

What it means: County employees and community members recognized for strength and diversity.

2026 County Safety and Security Survey Results

The county's annual employee safety survey shows most workers feel safer this year, but 30-40 employees still rate their workplaces unsafe — mostly due to poor lighting, unsafe parking, and loitering at the Human Services Building, Mental Health Building, Old Jail/Courthouse, and Public Safety Building. The county is responding with a lighting study and a new field-safety protocol.

What it means: County employees who work in or commute to downtown Ithaca buildings, especially those who flagged unsafe parking lots and poor lighting.

2026 Workplace Climate Survey

The employee climate survey was budgeted for 2026 but slipped to 2027, and members pressed to confirm the money didn't quietly disappear in the 2027 budget process. Administration indicated the funding is secure, and the CEDO will follow up with the County Administrator.

What it means: Funding was budgeted in 2026 and, per administration, carries into the 2027 budget for the deferred survey.

Youth Employment Programs Funding

Workforce Development reported 131 TANF-eligible youth completed the summer program, and new state funding will support year-round programming for youth at risk of gun violence — a program that served 70 youth last cycle, nearly half Black and half with a disability.

What it means: Tompkins County youth facing economic hardship or gun-violence risk who gain jobs and career pathways.

Office of Human Rights reorganization

The new Human Rights program manager flagged that the OHR office's doors aren't accessible for people with mobility impairments; a move to an accessible building is planned for next year, and safety issues at the current site are being raised with the landlord.

What it means: County residents with disabilities who need to access Human Rights services.