Legislature OKs $25,000 housing target-market analysis to support Town of Ithaca project

The Tompkins County Legislature voted 10–5 on Sept. 15 to authorize use of $25,000 in the planning department’s existing budget for a countywide target-market analysis with a focused neighborhood study in the Town of Ithaca.

Legislator Greg Mezey explained the proposal and introduced David West of the planning department, who described the study as a market-analysis tool to help phase and make a specific project shovel-ready. Mezey stressed the funds already exist in the department’s budget and argued the analysis could produce countywide datasets that make future studies cheaper. "These funds are already in the budget… they've already been levied," Mezey said, urging colleagues that the $25,000 is a strategic investment rather than a new levy expense.

Opponents, including Legislator Randy Brown and Judith Hubbard, questioned timing during a tight budget year and whether the Town of Ithaca should cover more of the cost or whether the county should require a match. Hubbard suggested a matching formula to spread cost and access benefits more equitably. Brown said he supported the idea in principle but cited concerns about repeated county assistance to Ithaca while other districts receive less direct benefit. The roll call produced 10 yeses and 5 noes, and the resolution passed; the chair called the tally and confirmed the result.