Chair, County Legislature· 2026-01-01–2028-12-31 (three-year term: the county Tompkins County Legislators page states legislators are elected and serve for three years with current terms 2026 through 2028; elected November 4, 2025 per Tompkins County Board of Elections 2025 Statement of Votes Cast , unofficial, certified results not located; begins January 1 per N.Y. Public Officers Law § 4, 1 and ends December 31, 2028; sworn at the January 6, 2026 organizational meeting; start shown is the current-term start)
Shawna Black
Tompkins County
No biography on file yet.
Contact
Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 23
- Total speaking time
- 7:23:50
- Avg per meeting
- 19:18
- Segments
- 7740
Want every word Black has said?
The OpenCity MCP for Claude.ai answers questions like “what has Black said about housing this year” with one prompt — full speaking history, with YouTube timestamps.
Top issues during term (20)(Development)
Housing Affordability and Target Market Analysis
$50,000 state grant funds the planning work; no county cost.
City of Ithaca Zoning Reform Survey
While exact numbers aren't set yet, loosening up zoning rules could eventually lead to more housing supply, helping to keep skyrocketing rents and home prices in check.
Federal HUD homelessness funding in limbo
Potential federal funding cuts could reduce money available for local shelter and homelessness services.
Community Housing Development Fund Round 26 Awards
$80,000 in IDA contributions disbursed; over $2 million remains available in the CHDF.
Housing shortage for single adults
No fiscal action taken; possible future county funding for ADU construction was floated.
SouthWorks/Gateway Affordable Housing Infrastructure Award
$1 million in state infrastructure funding, requiring a $2 million developer match as a reimbursement grant.
Downtown Parking Availability
Unknown — depends on city parking policy decisions.
NYU Furman Center homeless response peer network
Federal Cuts Threaten Permanent Supportive Housing
A 70% cut to federal homeless funding would hit local programs in October 2028 if the courts don't permanently block it.
Asteri Ithaca / Vecino Group enforcement
The county has already levied a $40,000 fine, and public service costs to the building are significant though not quantified in open session.
Asteri Ithaca and county homelessness response
The mayor's cited eminent domain figure of $186 million makes acquisition likely out of reach for now.
Harris B. Dates Drive Parcel — Affordable Housing Potential
The parcel has been off the tax rolls for years; developing or selling it could add housing and tax revenue, though no dollar figure was set.
Affordable Housing at 610 W. Court Street
$80,000 in IDA-derived funds, with Habitat braiding additional donations and grants to cover a roughly $300,000 build cost.
Housing Choice Voucher Program Pressures
Shelter stays run roughly $139-$149 per night; losing vouchers shifts costs to the homeless response system.
80-Bed Adult Homeless Shelter at 227 Cherry Street
Total project cost is about $18 million, with $15 million sought from the state and roughly $3 million from the county capital budget.
REACH Medical Respite and Supportive Housing Project
REACH is shouldering roughly $150,000–$160,000 in rent on the empty building while awaiting state HHAP funding; operations are expected to be sustainable through Medicaid reimbursements.
Housing needs assessment and strategy update
Funded through IDA dollars and a federal block grant; sets the stage for future housing investment.
Affordable housing funding carried into 2026
$550,000 in previously awarded funds stays available for affordable housing projects; no new county money.
2024 Housing Snapshot shows county far short of housing targets
Buying a median-priced home here now requires over $26,000 in cash, and renters need to gross over $63,000 a year to keep a one-bedroom affordable.
Hanshaw Village Water and Sewer Infrastructure
$1 million state grant request toward an estimated $3.5 million project.
Decisions during term (11)
Recorded while Black was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Res. 2026-105: Calling on Federal Government to Invest in Economic Development, Housing, and Infrastructure
Chair's Appointments — Workforce Development Board
Resolution Calling on Federal Government to Invest in Economic Development, Housing, and Infrastructure (ID #14061)
Negative Declaration for CHDF Award — Compass Redevelopment Phase II (ID #13989)
Authorization to Disburse CHDF Round 24 Funds — Compass Redevelopment Phase II (ID #13990)
Budget Adjustment — Airport Small Community Air Service Development Grant (ID #13946)
Seneca Place Lease for Workforce Development and Assigned Counsel (ID #13949)
Caregiver Leave Policy Development (ID #13889)
Appointments to the Tompkins County Industrial Development Agency (TCIDA)
Resolution: Appointments to the TCIDA and Tompkins County Development Corporation (ID #13822)
Chair's appointment: Workforce Development Board
Voting record (5)(Development)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.