| LEGISLATURE PROVIDES FISCAL DIRECTIVES FOR A 0% TAX RATE INCREASE IN THE 2007 BUDGET The Legislature voted (12 to 1; 2 Legislators were absent) to set 2007 Budget parameters for all County budgeting units. The parameters aim to limit expansion of the County’s Budget to a maximum tax levy increase of 2.8% and a 0% tax rate increase. The Legislature’s fiscal directives require that County Departments absorb the fringe costs of negotiated salary increases for their employees, while keeping financial support to County funded agencies at the 2006 level. The County Administrator prepared several budgeting scenarios that aided the Legislature in their decision. Following tonight’s action, the County Administrator will work with Departments and Agencies to prepare a 2007 Recommended Budget that meets the Legislative goal of a maximum tax levy increase of 2.8% and a 0% tax rate increase –a goal that was set by the Legislature at their May 16, 2006 meeting. Contact: Tompkins County Department of Administration (607) 274-5551 LEGISLATURE URGES PRESIDENT BUSH TO STOP WARRANTLESS SURVEILLANCE OF AMERICANS The Legislature voted (9 to 4; 2 Legislators were absent) to pass a resolution “Urging President Bush to Stop Warrantless Surveillance of Americans and to Follow the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act.” While simultaneously highlighting their support for the vigorous pursuit and prosecution of persons and organizations that plan terrorists acts, the Legislature “calls upon the President to abide by the limitations that the Constitution imposes on the Executive branch…and to respect the essential roles of the Legislative branch and the Judicial branch in ensuring that our national security is protected in a manner consistent with constitutional guarantees.” Contact: Tompkins County Legislature (607) 274-5434 LEGISLATURE AUTHORIZES LOAN TO A LOCAL SMALL BUSINESS By a unanimous vote of the members present, the Legislature authorized a $25,000 rural small business loan for Matt Cooper Furniture Designs, a local business located in the Town of Danby. The loan will be funded by the Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund, which was expanded in 2004 to provide low interest loans to small businesses. The Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund uses money that is repaid from prior U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Small Cities Community Development Block Grants to fund new loans to local businesses. The loan program’s Oversight Committee reviewed Matt Cooper Furniture Designs’ loan application and forwarded it to the Legislature. Matt Cooper Furniture Designs is a one- person shop that designs, builds, and sells high quality modern furniture. Matt Cooper began his business in Oregon in 1998 and relocated to Tompkins County in 2005. Contact: Tompkins County Planning Department (607) 274-5560 |