JOINT COMMITTEE: County Facilities and Ways and Means - May 19, 2026 (OCC)

The Onondaga County Legislature held a joint meeting of the County Facilities and Ways and Means Committees on May 19, 2026, focusing primarily on the budget presentation for Onondaga Community College (OCC) for the 2026-27 fiscal year. The college requested an additional $400,000 in operating funds from the county, representing a 4% increase to support rising personnel and utility costs, as well as a 3% tuition increase. The discussion included details on enrollment trends, fund balance usage, and state aid, with emphasis on maintaining affordable education and supporting key programs such as nursing and applied engineering. A significant capital improvement project was also discussed: the renovation of athletic fields with a total project cost of $1.6 million, partially funded by $800,000 from the OCC Foundation, requiring county approval to secure a state dollar-for-dollar match. The meeting also touched on ongoing and upcoming capital projects, including the Ferrante and Coin building renovations, and the sale of unused shuttles. The committee expressed support for the budget and capital requests, noting the importance of continued investment in facilities and programs to meet community needs.