Council advances community responder (Roots) job description to July vote after debate over staffing, vehicles and dispatch

The Ithaca Common Council on June 17 advanced a resolution to adopt a community responder and worker-supervisor job description and add four positions—one full-time supervisor, one full-time community responder and two part-time responders—funded initially with previously encumbered account A30010-5700 dollars for the 2026–27 startup year.

Monolita Smiley, director of the Community Justice Center, told council the positions are intended to enhance outreach and non-police crisis response during higher evening call volumes. "I think [the positions] will be pretty straightforward," Smiley said, adding the supervisor will be a civil-service classification: "I think it will be a protected civil service." She said responders will often coordinate with the Ithaca Police Department so officers can clear scenes when necessary but that the program can be dispatched independently in many cases.

Council members pressed staff on staffing levels, shift coverage and vehicles. Councilmember Miss Fabitzio said she supported the program but urged caution on buying cars, noting the city’s broader transportation goals. "I would definitely be opposed to the idea of buying cars, two more cars for this program," she said, urging a phased rollout. Councilmember Miss Moss, chair of the Unhoused Services Committee, said staggered hours and part-time roles were intended to cover evening gaps: "The part-time positions could actually cover what does exist as an even further gap in our community beyond those other aspects."

Administration staff said the initial model relies on encumbered funds and that the City Manager will present a plan for sustainable funding for 2028 when encumbered funds are exhausted. The resolution language asks the City Manager to present a funding plan and performance measures next year.

The council agreed to advance the measure to the July 8 voting meeting by unanimous consent and asked for quarterly updates once the program begins. Several council members urged the administration and community partners to coordinate closely on dispatch and data collection so the program can eventually accept calls directly and track outcomes.