LEGISLATURE LOOKS AT $19.1 MILLION COMMUNICATIONS PROJECT
Lee Shurtleff, Tompkins County's Director of Emergency Response, outlined two options for upgrading the County's worn-out emergency communications system used by fire, police, ambulance, and other health and public safety agencies. One option is a lower-cost, phased approach that would upgrade much of the system's microwave infrastructure. This plan, estimated to cost $13 million, would make the system much more reliable but would rely on older technology and would not solve all of the system's many problems. It would require another upgrade in a few years. The second option, costing an estimated $19.1 million, would bring the entire system up-to-date. The County has laid a foundation for both projects by building a new 911 dispatch center, due to open in January.

The Communications Capital Projects Committee (ComCap) has endorsed the more expensive system based on superior performance, eventual compatibility with a statewide system, and the availability of the 800 MHz radio frequencies that would be utilized. The larger project would provide first responders with the ability to talk from agency to agency (for example firefighters could talk directly to ambulance crews and law enforcement instead of relaying messages through a dispatcher) and would improve radio coverage throughout the county. Staff has estimated that, while the initial investment for the phased approach is lower, it would cost the County an additional $2.8 million to break the project into two pieces.

No action was taken on the project at tonight's meeting, but the Expanded Budget Committee will discuss it Thursday when a decision must be made about how much money to include in the capital program. Earlier this month, Finance Director David Squires stated that borrowing for the communications project can be done incrementally and interest payments can be delayed to ease the tax burden in the early years. If the larger system is approved, no payment would be due in 2004, and only a minimal payment - equaling about a 1 percent tax rate increase - would be required in 2005. Payments would increase in 2006-2008, adding about 6 percent to the tax rate. After five years, annual expenses would increase. Barbara Blanchard, chair of the ComCap Committee, has said that the five years will give the County time to pursue funding from Congressional member items, Homeland Security funds, and a possible partnership with the New York Statewide Wireless Network. Contact: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Communications Capital Projects Committee, 277-1374; Lee Shurtleff, Dir. of Emergency Response, 257-3888.

PATRICIA CAREY APPOINTED NEW COUNTY COMMISSIONER OF SOCIAL SERVICES
Patricia Carey, the Legal Unit Administrator of the Department of Social Services (DSS), will take over as Commissioner of the department on November 12. The Legislature unanimously confirmed Carey's five-year appointment by the County Administrator. Carey has served as supervisor of DSS's legal office for ten years and carries the additional title of Deputy Commissioner, filling in when the Commissioner is not available. Previously, she managed family reunification and after-school programs at the Ithaca Housing Authority, and she was a staff supervisor in DSS's Adult Protective Services program. She has also worked in the private sector as a paralegal specializing in guardianship for the elderly, a special education teacher, and an advocate for developmentally disabled adults recently discharged from state institutions. Carey was chosen from a field of 54 applicants who responded to a six-month statewide search. "Patricia Carey has the leadership skills and experience necessary to lead DSS along the path of continuous improvement initiated during Mary Pat Dolan's tenure," Whicher wrote in a memo to employees. Carey will replace Commissioner Mary Pat Dolan, who has held the DSS top job since 1984. Contacts: Patricia Carey, 274-5298, 546-2747; County Administrator Stephen Whicher, 274-5551.

SALES TAX REVENUE UP; 2004 RETIREMENT COSTS SOAR
Finance Director David Squires reported that 2003 sales tax revenues are up for the fifth consecutive month. While the County has not received a detailed report from the state, Squires said that the County's share of sales tax for the first three quarters of this year is $17,524,197, an increase of about 2 percent over the comparable period in 2002. Squires said that receipts are tracking toward a total sales tax revenue for the year of $23 million, $700,000 more than was budgeted. Squires also reported that he has received a preliminary estimate for the 2004 New York State retirement contribution. The contribution, which is mandatory, will increase from 4.5 percent of payroll to 11.5 percent. The cost will go from about $1.3 million in 2003 to $3.9 million in 2004, a 266 percent increase in cost for the County. Squires pointed out that the increase - caused largely by the effect of the lackluster performance of the stock market on the state pension fund - is a major reason for the swelling County tax rate.

LANSING FIRM RECEIVES ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT LOAN
The Legislature unanimously approved a $150,000 economic development loan to Advanced Design Consulting, a custom fabrication and design firm. The high-tech firm specializes in custom engineering design, research, development, and fabrication for clients ranging from small scientific entrepreneurs to universities, government agencies, and private industries. The business began in a garage in 1994 and later moved to the Cornell Business and Technology Park. Two years ago they moved into their current facility on Ridge Road in Lansing. The company was recently awarded a contract with the U.S. Navy to develop synthetic rope. The $150,000 loan will provide working capital and new equipment for a 9,000 square-foot machine shop expansion. The company has leveraged an additional $320,000 for the expansion project. The firm currently has 15 employees and plans to add 30 more in the next five years.

The Tompkins County Economic Development Revolving Loan Fund provides low-interest loans for business development and expansion projects that create or retain job opportunities for low- to moderate-income workers. The fund is capitalized from repaid economic development grants previously awarded to the County from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A oversight committee makes loan recommendations to the County Legislature. The Planning Department provides administration and support for the loan fund. Contact: Michael Lane, Chair, Planning, Development, and Environmental Quality Committee, 844-8440.

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