SALES TAX REVENUES CONTINUE AT HIGHER LEVELS
County Finance Director David Squires reported that sales tax revenues for the past seven months have been higher than last year’s. If December's receipts equal last year’s for that month, Squires expects the County’s sales tax income for 2003 to be $26.3 million, $4 million more than was estimated in the 2003 budget.

LEGISLATURE SETS MANAGEMENT SALARIES
By a vote of 10 – 4, the Legislature approved 2004 salary increases of between 3.187 and 4.25 percent for its management and confidential staff. The pay increases are in line with raises negotiated in a four-year contract by the County’s unionized workers. Those contracts expire and will be renegotiated in 2004. Voting against the increases were Dooley Kiefer, Frank Proto, George Totman, and Daniel Winch. Contact: Michael Koplinka-Loehr, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 257-2329.

PLANNING COMMISSIONER TO ADD DEPUTY ADMINISTRATOR DUTIES
As of January 1, County Planning Commissioner Edward Marx will take on additional duties as the Deputy County Administrator. Marx’s time will be divided between the two positions, and the dual role will be reviewed at the end of the year. Marx’s area of oversight will include administrative and committee actions in Public Works, Planning, capital projects, and facilities. Contact: Edward Marx, Planning Commissioner, 274-5560.

LEGISLATURE ADOPTS COUNTY EMERGENCY MANAGEMENT PLAN
The Legislature unanimously adopted the Tompkins County Emergency Management Plan, which documents strategies and responsibilities of emergency response agencies in the county. Among the emergency functions addressed are fire and emergency medical services, law enforcement, public health, transportation, sheltering, public works, and public notification. Contact: Lee Shurtleff, Director of Emergency Response, 257-3888.

CORNELL CLASS ANALYZES AFFORDABLE HOUSING OPTIONS
Cornell University Professor Rolf Pendall presented a report by his students in the City and Regional Planning Department that found that lower-income residents are being squeezed out of the Tompkins County housing market by increasing property values and lack of affordable housing. The major constraints against affordable housing are zoning regulations that favor single-family homes as well as unfounded fears about affordable housing developments, said Pendall. The students found that affordable housing can be attractive, safe, increase adjacent property values, and generally provides housing opportunities to residents who already live in the area. The full report is available online at www.dcrp.cornell.edu. Contact: Martha Robertson, Chair, Health and Human Services Committee, 272-0584

KATHRYN SMITHERS HONORED BY LEGISLATURE
The Legislature unanimously approved a resolution of gratitude for 23 years of service by former Deputy County Administrator Kathryn Smithers, who resigned this month. Smithers was the administrative organizer of the County budget for 17 years. She worked with four different Administrators and is descended from a member of the very first Tompkins County government, formed in 1817. Her father also served on the County legislature.

WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT EMPLOYEE WINS NATIONAL AWARD
Greg Gizewski of Tompkins Workforce New York was congratulated by the Legislature for receipt of a national employee excellence award. Gizewski received the James F. Walls award from the National Association of State Workforce Agencies in September. The award is given to one person in the country each year for customer and community service. Gizewski, an Information Specialist, is known for his motivational, upbeat attitude and outstanding job performance. Gizewski’s accomplishments are all the more remarkable in light of his being a quadriplegic due to an accident 26 years ago.

STOP-DWI COORDINATOR JOHN BEACH HONORED BY LEGISLATURE
The Legislature unanimously approved a resolution honoring the career of John Beach, who has retired as the County’s STOP-DWI Coordinator. Beach promoted more law enforcement and periodic drunk driving stops, and worked with colleagues to create a victims panel to help DWI offenders understand the results of their actions. Beach worked for the Tompkins County Probation Department before becoming the STOP-DWI Coordinator 14 years ago, for a total of 33 years in County employ. The STOP-DWI program, which is fully supported by revenue from fines issued against drunk drivers, will continue.

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