County administrator proposes 11.96% levy increase in 2027 budget

The Tompkins County administrator presented the recommended 2027 budget on Sept. 1, proposing a countywide property tax levy increase of 11.96, or about $6.8 million, to close recurring revenue gaps. County Administrator Corso said the recommended operating plan identifies $270.9 million for the core operating fund and $307.8 million across all funds and attributes the levy growth to mandates, payroll and benefits, and the loss of prior one-time supports.

Corso told the legislature that the county would not rely on unassigned fund balance to suppress the levy in the recommended plan and highlighted a $2.7 million restoration to fund balance that was used last year to reduce the levy instead. "The recommended property tax levy increase is 11.96% or $6,800,000," Corso said during the presentation. He pointed to several principal cost drivers: negotiated salary increases, higher fringe-benefit rates, and mandates in Whole Health and other programs. The presentation also included a $740,000 allowance for a SNAP administrative cost shift already in effect and warned of larger SNAP payment-error liabilities in later years.

Legislators pressed administration for specifics. Norma (budget staff) explained that much of the Whole Health increase — roughly $1,044,725 — reflects preschool special-education and psychiatric-care cost pressures. Corso and budget staff said payroll and benefits account for the largest single pressure (roughly $9.48 million local impact), and that the recommended staffing level is 844 full-time equivalents. On revenue, the county's sales-tax growth was described as modest and not sufficient to absorb the expense increases.

The presentation framed the recommended levy as a step to restore recurring fiscal balance after several years of drawing on one-time resources: "Fund balance can help with temporary disruption; it cannot permanently fund wages, benefits, or continuing programs," Corso said. The administrator also outlined contingency risks including possible SNAP error-rate payment responsibilities, shelter construction, and debt servicing tied to future capital projects. The legislative budget review process will continue with committee-level deep dives over the coming weeks.