COUNTY, MUNICIPALITIES IDENTIFY AREAS FOR POSSIBLE CONSOLIDATION
County Administrator Stephen Whicher reported that, after two meetings, a group of municipal and County officials has agreed to look at three areas of government services for possible consolidations or other cost-saving measures. The areas were first suggested in a brainstorming session attended by over 30 officials and then narrowed down through a balloting process. The three areas that received the most votes are: road maintenance; cooperative insurance buying; and a unified court system, that is, consolidating town courts into a single or district court. Subgroups will now work with various stakeholders to examine each area and offer recommendations. The group is facilitated by Whicher, who has issued an open invitation to all municipal officials and County Legislators to attend and contribute to the conversation, and who encouraged each of the Legislators to sign up for at least one subgroup. Contact: Stephen Whicher, County Administrator, 274-5551.

ASSESSMENT MEETINGS IN TRUMANSBURG AND ITHACA
The Tompkins County Assessment Department is holding informational meetings to explain the assessment process. A meeting previously scheduled in Trumansburg 7 – 9 p.m., Monday, March 8 has been moved to the Trumansburg High School auditorium, to accommodate the size of the anticipated audience. An additional meeting will be held 7 – 9 p.m., Monday, March 15 at the BOCES campus, 555 Warren Road in Ithaca. Members of the public are invited to attend. Contact: Jay Franklin, Deputy Assessment Director, 274-5517.

AIRPORT CAFÉ CONTRACT EXTENDED FOR ONE YEAR, WITH COUNTY ASSISTANCE
A one-year extension of a contract for management of the café and gift shop at the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport was approved by an 11-3 vote. To keep the Wanderlust Café open at the airport, the County will pay a monthly $1,000 management fee and cover other potential losses incurred by Aramark, Inc., which operates the airport food service and gift shop. Flights in to and out of the airport are at a 20-year low, according to Airport Manager Robert Nicholas, and the short-term contract was favored over a more permanent arrangement. Voting against the contract extension were Legislators Tim Joseph, Robertson, and Nancy Schuler. By unanimous approval, ground transportation contracts were also extended for one year. Contacts: Richard Booth, Chair, Facilities and Infrastructure Committee, 272-6573, 255-4205; Robert Nicholas, Airport Manager, 257-0456.

- Tompkins County Information, Mar. 2, 2004

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