Tompkins County · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Tompkins County public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Airport Terminal Vending Contract
A resolution to award the terminal vending contract at the Ithaca Tompkins International Airport was scheduled for a vote. The contract determines food and beverage concessions available to travelers.
Systematizing the County Proclamation Process
Diversity-related proclamations have been handled ad hoc, sometimes scrambling at the last minute. The committee plans to build a heritage-month calendar with deadlines and assign proclamations to committee members or departments.
Biomedical research funding advocacy
The county asked the state to boost the 'Bolstering Biotech Initiative' to $165 million as federal research cuts — over $250 million in New York — threaten jobs and cures. Supporters cited a $2.50 economic return per dollar; opponents said the state budget can't fund everything.
State DMV system upgrade shutdown
The local DMV will close early Friday, February 13 and remain closed through February 17 as the state migrates 30 million records to a new system, reopening February 18 if all goes well. Service may be slow at first.
Cayuga Medical Center unionization resolution follow-up
Chair Mezey reported that Cayuga Medical Center contacted him after the Legislature passed a resolution supporting hospital workers' efforts to unionize for better wages, benefits, and working conditions.