SALES TAX REVENUES FOR 2000 ARE UP
County Finance Director David Squires reported final sales tax distribution figures for 2000. Total sales tax received for the
entire county was $38,148,391, up by 4.4 percent from 1999. County government retained $21,468,845 of the total, about
$1.7 more than was allocated in the 2000 County budget. Squires said the extra revenue is very welcome in light of a
projected economic slowdown. According to Squires, the City of Ithaca saw a 0.5 percent increase in sales tax, going from
$6,861,549 in 1999 to $6,897,337 in 2000. Towns and village fared best, with a combined increase of 7.12 percent. Town and village sales tax revenues were $9,132,155 in 1999; $9,782,210 in 2000. Squires emphasized that sales tax distribution figures are flawed as an economic indicator because they do not coincide with the exact time period the taxes were collected
and are subject to adjustments by the state. Nevertheless, he noted that sales tax activity in the City has stayed relatively level for three years running while activity in the municipalities has steadily increased. Contact: David Squires, 274-5544.

COGGIN NAMED ASSESSMENT DIRECTOR
The Board of Representatives unanimously (14-0; Rep. Stuart Stein was absent) approved the appointment of Valeria Coggin
as Director of the Division of Assessment. Coggin replaces Stephen Whicher, who was last week named County Administrator. Coggin has worked in the Tompkins County Assessment office for over 14 years, most recently as Assistant Director for Field Operations. Coggin says she plans no major changes in the office but will continue the six-year plan that was formulated during Whicher’s tenure. A resident of Tompkins County for 19 years, Coggin lives in the Town of Ithaca. Prior to moving here, she worked in the real estate industry in California. Contact: Valeria Coggin, 274-5517; Stephen Whicher, 274- 5552.

ADDITIONAL 1 PERCENT SALE TAX MAY CONTINUE FOUR MORE YEARS
The Board voted11-3 (Reps. Frank Proto, Nancy Schuler, and Daniel Winch were opposed; Stuart Stein was absent) to ask
the New York State legislature for authorization to charge an additional 1 percent local sales tax for four more years. The
County first upped its sales tax share from 3 to the current 4 percent in 1992, and has subsequently asked for several
extensions. Without authorization to continue, the 1 percent tax would expire on November 30, 2001. Four years is the longest extension the County has requested to date and reflects the majority opinion that the revenue is needed. In 1999, the additional 1 percent netted $6,829,153 in sales tax revenue for County government. In 2000, the amount was $7,176,405. The total sales tax in Tompkins County is 8 percent, with 4 percent going to the state. The remaining revenues are divided among County, City of Ithaca, and the smaller municipal governments. Contact: Tim Joseph, Budget Committee Chairman, 277-2519.

BOARD ASKS ADMINISTRATOR TO WORK ON TRIMMING BUDGET
The Board voted unanimously (14-0; Rep. Stuart Stein was absent)  to direct County Administrator Stephen Whicher to
work with County departments and programs on cost-cutting measures. Early projections show that a dwindling general fund
balance may affect the County’s operating and capital projects budgets as early as next year. Concerned legislators are getting an early start on dealing with possible funding shortfalls by asking departments to trim their current budgets. Contact: Tim Joseph, Budget Committee Chairman, 277-2519; County Administrator Steve Whicher, 274-5552.