LEGISLATURE GIVES DOLAN A GRATEFUL SEND-OFF
The Legislature unanimously approved a resolution honoring the 19-year career of Mary Pat Dolan, outgoing Commissioner of Social Services. Legislature Chair Tim Joseph thanked Dolan for two "gifts" she has given the County. The first, he said, is the gift of a mission of concern for the well-being of those most in need. The second gift is the staff and management Dolan has built at the Department of Social Services. Dolan has retired and her last day with the County is Friday. The new Commissioner, Patricia Carey, will be sworn in on Monday.

COUNTY SETS 2004 SOLID WASTE FEE AT $52 PER HOUSEHOLD
The Legislature voted 10 - 4 (14 members present) to increase the solid waste annual fee by $1 per single-family household. The fee, which primarily pays for the maintenance of closed landfills in the county, was $51 in 2003 and has not been raised since 1998. The fee was instituted in 1995 when it became more expensive to manage solid waste. Tompkins County no longer operates its own landfill but transfers waste to landfills out of the county. Recyclable materials that are diverted from the waste stream are collected and sorted at the County's Recycling and Solid Waste Center and sold at a profit. The revenue from the recycled materials supports the recycling operation. The fee, in part, assures a fund balance for the Solid Waste Management Division of 10 percent of its operating budget. Contact: Richard Booth, Chair, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, 272-6573.

OFF TRACK BETTING WILL GO TO POPULAR VOTE
Cathy Covert, Clerk of the Legislature, reported that her office has verified the minimum number of signatures necessary to put Off Track Betting on the ballot at the next general election. The Legislature voted on September 2 to allow Off Track Betting parlors to be set up in Tompkins County, but by law, residents may require the decision to go to a popular vote. A group of citizens collected over 4,000 signatures, which were submitted on October 15. The Clerk's office verified 2,819, the minimum required by election law, within the allowable 30-day time period. If voters support Off Track Betting, the County would gain about $300,000 in revenue annually, derived from a surcharge on winnings paid. The parlors and revenue dispersion are managed by the Catskill Region Off Track Betting Corporation and are regulated by state law. Contacts: Catherine Covert, Clerk of the Legislature, 274-5434; Peter Penniman, Chair, Budget and Capital Committee, 387-3928, 387-5897.

COUNTY AWARDS GRANTS TO FOUR COMMUNITIES
The Legislature approved four Commercial Center Revitalization grants to the following communities:
-- Newfield community, for construction of a path near the restored Zenas King footbridge - $5,368
-- Hamlet of Varna, for installation of welcome signage and planters -$800
-- Town of Danby, for installation of antique-style lighting at the Town Hall - $3,532.68
-- Village of Groton, for external improvements to the historic Jones Schoolhouse - $4,000
About $6,000 remains in the Revitalization grants fund; the program is not funded in the proposed 2004 budget. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 844-8440.

POSSIBLE MORTGAGE TAX TO FUND TCAT GETS TEPID SUPPORT
Legislature Chair Tim Joseph asked his colleagues for direction on a proposal to institute a one-quarter percent tax on new mortgages to fund the County's support of Tompkins Consolidated Area Transit (TCAT). The County is a partner in TCAT with Cornell University and the City of Ithaca. The County would need to ask the State Legislature for special legislation to allow the tax, which could bring in up to $1 million a year, according to County Administrator Stephen Whicher. The County's annual payment to TCAT, one of three equal shares paid by each of the partners, is currently about $490,000. Any surplus funds would be put in reserve for TCAT's use in times of need, but would be required to be repaid, said Joseph. In a straw vote, eight of the Legislators indicated interest in pursuing the concept of the tax - but not necessarily as outlined by Joseph. Joseph said he had hoped the revenue could be added to the 2004 budget as a way to lower the proposed property tax rate increase. Seeing less than full support, Joseph said he will work through the usual committee process to bring the tax to the Legislature for approval at a later date. Contacts: Tim Joseph, Chair of the Legislature, 274-5434, 277-2519; Stephen Whicher, County Administrator, 274-5551.

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