10-21-2026 BUDGET MEETING - PUBLIC HEARING #2

The City of Ithaca’s October 21, 2026 Budget Meeting and second public hearing included public comments and 2027 budget presentations from the Mayor/Common Council, Finance, DPW, and outside agencies. Public commenters addressed the proposed elimination of the wellness incentive for confidential employees, parks administration, and support for the Wharton Studio and Cafe project, which is included in the city’s five-year capital plan. Council members discussed possible budget amendments, including one proposed to restore the wellness incentive; no final budget or procurement award was approved in the portion of the meeting provided. The hearing was opened and later closed by motion, and the meeting transcript ends as a motion to table the budget is being entertained.

Procurement and capital topics included DPW’s planned mill-and-pave work to be put out to bid in early 2027, ongoing capital projects and deferred-maintenance needs, a proposed $40,000 contract for hazardous ash-tree removal, and a $30,000 request for outside cost-estimating support. DPW cited a $6 million grant and additional capital funding for dam work, as well as $4.9 million in low- or zero-interest loans for lead service-line replacements. The department described wastewater operations contracted to the Camden Group and said the city may consider an RFP and multi-year arrangement rather than annual contracts. Finance plans to form a procurement working group and pursue a citywide payment-processing RFP; it also cited a small tax-payment processing contract with Tompkins Bank and a projected $60,000 saving from not using OpenGov for budget development. Other budget items included a proposed $10,000 increase to Southside Community Center, a $4,000 increase to the Downtown Ithaca Alliance, and approximately $1.3 million for TCAT. These were budget proposals or discussion items, not contract awards.