| LEGISLATURE HONORS FLORA GROSS SAGAN WITH A RESOLUTION OF GRATITUDE By unanimous vote, the Legislature recognized the volunteer work and efforts of Flora Gross Sagan to improve the lives of Tompkins County citizens affected by serious mental illness. Ms. Sagan was honored with a “Resolution of Gratitude for Service.” From 1989 to 2005, Flora Gross Sagan served on the Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board and actively worked to recruit diverse members of the community to assist the board in its mission. Ms. Sagan was an active participant on the Tompkins County Mental Health Subcommittee, which advises the Tompkins County Community Mental Health Services Board, from 1990-2005 and served as Chair of that committee. Additionally, Flora Gross Sagan took a specialized interest in housing programs for persons affected by serious mental illness and served as a member of the HOMES, Inc. Board of Directors and the Lakeview Mental Health Services, Inc. Advisory Committee. Contact: Tompkins County Legislature (607) 274-5434 LEGISLATURE INCREASES 2007 FISCAL TARGETS TO REFLECT SALARY ADJUSTMENTS The Legislature unanimously voted (14 to 0; 1 Legislator was absent) to raise 2007 Fiscal Targets for County Budgeting Units and Designated Programs to reflect 2005 and 2006 salary increases, totaling approximately $1.3 million. This action is a budgetary implementation of White Collar, Management/Confidential, and Blue Collar salary increases in preparation for the 2007 Budget. Below is a summary of the salary increases: White Collar Employees
3.5% increase over the 2005 adjusted salaries and a 2% increase over the 2006 budgeted salaries. (Ratified by Resolution No. 187 of September 20, 2005) Management and Confidential Employees 2.895% increase over the 2005 adjusted salaries. (Ratified by Resolution No. 139 of July 19, 2005) Blue Collar Employees 3.75% increase over the 2004 base salaries. (Ratified by Resolution No. 20 of February 7, 2006) Revenue to cover the above salary increases was included in the 2006 tax levy. Upon settlement, similar Fiscal Target adjustments will be made for other employee contracts currently being negotiated. Contact: Department of Administration (607) 274-5551 REMINDER – MARCH 31st IS THE DEADLINE TO CONTEST A “PRELIMINARY NOTICE OF ASSESSMENT CHANGE” On February 23, 2006, the Department of Assessment mailed 7,300 Preliminary Notices of Assessment Change to property owners whose assessment has changed since the 2005 Final Assessment Roll. Property owners who received a “2006 Preliminary Notice of Assessment Change” and wish to contest the valuation of their property have until Friday, March 31, 2006 to complete an Informal Hearing Application. All properties on the 2006 Preliminary Assessment Roll are now assessed at 90% of their fair market value as of July 1, 2005. It is the property owners’ responsibility to present any new information (such as changes in inventory and/or any recent fee appraisals) regarding their parcel that the Department of Assessment has not already taken into account while valuing their property at 90% of fair market value. All real property information (including sales) is available for review on six public computers in the Assessment Office. There are several ways to obtain and submit an Informal Hearing Application. Paper Applications
Obtain: 1. An application is printed on the reverse side of the Preliminary Notice of Assessment Change, or 2. Blank applications are available at the Department of Assessment’s Office, or 3. Blank applications can be downloaded online at http://www.tompkins-co.org/assessment/informal.pdf. Submit: 1. Paper applications can be hand delivered, mailed, or faxed to the Department of Assessment’s Office. Electronic Applications 1. Applications can be emailed to assessment@tompkins-co.org, or 2. Applications can be obtained & submitted online at http://www.tompkins-co.org/assessment/complaint.html Department of Assessment Contact Information 128 East Buffalo Street Ithaca, New York 14850 Tel: 607-274-5517 Fax: 607-274-5507 Website: http://www.tompkins-co.org/assessment/ Email: assessment@tompkins-co.org LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZES ACCEPTANCE OF A TECHNOLOGY IMPROVEMENT GRANT FROM THE NEW YORK STATE OFFICE OF REAL PROPERTY SERVICES By unanimous vote, the Legislature authorized the County Administrator (or his designee) to accept and execute all contracts related to a Technology Improvement Grant from the New York State Office of Real Property Services. The grant, totaling $101,807, will cover professional consultant, equipment, and software costs for an “Enterprise” GIS database system. Once completed, the system will store and provide real-time access to improved tax parcel data. Contact: Department of Assessment (607) 274-5517 or Information Technology Services (607) 274-5417 PUBLIC HEARING SCHEDULED TO DISCUSS REPLACEMENT OF THE RINGWOOD ROAD BRIDGE On April 18, 2006, the Tompkins County Legislature will hold a public hearing in regard to replacement of the Ringwood Road Bridge, which crosses Cascadilla Creek in the Town of Dryden. Negotiations to acquire approximately five parcels to complete right-of-way access for the project are ongoing. The County intends to exhaust all means to negotiate acquisition of the parcels in a timely manner without necessitating legal measures. However, as a contingency, the County will hold a public hearing on the matter pursuant to Section 201 of the Eminent Domain Procedure Law. All persons interested in the subject matter are asked to attend the County Legislature meeting on Tuesday, April 18, 2006 at 5:30pm. The meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, located at 320 North Tioga Street, Ithaca, New York. Contact: Tompkins County Legislature (607) 274-5434 |