| COUNTY EMPLOYEES TO USE REGIONAL AIRPORT County Legislators voted unanimously (14 - 0; Legislator Leslyn McBean-Clairborne was absent) to require official County government air travel to be booked through the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport unless logistically or financially (within $200 of the cost of travel from another airport) inadvisable. The guideline covers travel by County employees on County business and travel by contractors at the County's expense, and is intended to support efforts to increase air travel to and from the local airport. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 844-8440. HEARINGS SET FOR NEW ASSESSMENT EXEMPTIONS In three separate votes, the Legislature set a date for public hearings for three new assessment exemptions that could be used by residents of Tompkins County. If passed, the exemptions would cover historic barns, major improvements to property to accommodate disabled residents, and a one-year trial of allowing deductions for unreimbursed medical expenses from income used to establish senior citizen assessment exemptions. Hearings for all three changes will be held starting at 5:30 p.m., May 17, in the County Courthouse. Votes on holding the hearings were as follows: historic barns, 9 yes, 5 no; disability improvements, 12 yes, 2 no; unreimbursed medical expenses, 8 yes, 6 no. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Government Operations Committee, 844-8440. |