COUNTY LEGISLATURE DEFEATS PROPOSED 2004 BUDGET
 The proposed $117 million 2004 Tompkins County budget is in limbo.  While a handful of budget amendments - having the net result of  reducing the proposed tax rate increase from 19.65 percent to 19.26  percent- were passed, the budget itself was defeated by a vote of 9  noes to 5 ayes. The four Republican members, who voted in unison  against the spending plan, were joined by five of the Democratic  majority. The capital program, which must be voted on separately, was  tabled. The budget can be reconsidered at a subsequent meeting, if it  is brought back for reconsideration by someone who voted against it  or who was not in attendance at the meeting. Legislator Barbara  Blanchard was absent from the meeting due to a serious illness in her  family.
 
 A budget must be in place by December 10, according to the County  Charter or by December 20, by state law. The County attorney did not  issue an opinion on which date takes precedence. In any case, if the  Legislature cannot arrive at the simple majority needed to pass a  budget, the proposed budget that was approved by the Expanded Budget  Committee on October 23 will go into effect. That budget would raise  taxes by 19.65 percent, adding $127 to the tax bill for a $100,000  home, and increasing the overall tax levy by 27.8 percent.
 
 The Legislature may call a special meeting to vote on the budget  again, or it may wait until its next scheduled meeting on December 2.  The Legislature Chair said, at this time, he has no plans to call a  special meeting. Budget Committee Chair Peter Penniman said he  expects some compromises to be hammered out between now and December  2 that will allow the budget to gain enough support to pass.
 
 When the budget was voted down, all previously approved amendments  became moot. Amendments that were tentatively approved at tonight's  meeting but will have to be approved again to go into effect, are as  follows:
 -- A cut of $2,000 from the 2004 budget, in lieu of spending $3,000  from the current-year budget, to build a windbreak for the  entranceway at the public library, passed unanimously.
 -- A reduction of $100,000 in anticipated boarding-out costs for  overflow at the County jail, leaving $50,000 to cover the costs of  boarding inmates to other counties' facilities, passed 8 to 6.
 -- Elimination of $32,806 in set-aside funding for a domestic  violence court coordinator, pending an anticipated state grant for  the position, passed 12 to 2.
 -- Restoration of $30,179 for the municipal youth services program,  to be staffed through Cooperative Extension rather than the County,  saving $19,821 over 2003's budget, passed 11 to 3.
 
 Failed amendments include postponing $250,000 in capital cost for  renovation of the Public Safety Building; restoration of cuts of  $47,547 to the District Attorney's office and $80,000 for a deputy in  the Sheriff's Office; taking $500,000 from the County's $5 million  surplus to reduce the tax rate; and adding $425,000 in anticipated  revenues from a new mortgage tax.
 
 In a related matter, the Legislature approved a more stringent policy  for filling vacant positions in County government, determining that  hiring to fill vacant positions must be approved by the appropriate  program committee and the Budget Committee. Contacts: Tim Joseph,  Chair of the Legislature, 274-5434, 277-2519; Budget Connitee Chair  Peter Penniman, 387-3928, 387-5897; County Administrator Stephen  Whicher, 274-5551.
 
 COUNTY, CITY AGREE ON CONSOLIDATED DISPATCH STAFFING
 The Legislature approved an agreement between the County and the City  of Ithaca to move the City police dispatch functions to the County's  new consolidated 911 dispatch center currently under construction. As  of July 1, 2004, the County will create five new fulltime dispatcher  positions in the Department of Emergency Response to accommodate a  centralized police dispatch function. To help cover the expenses for  the positions, the City will pay the County $147,000 a year for the  first four-and-a-half years, with a payment of $287,195 at the end of  year five, and $180,000 a year thereafter. Rather than directly  reimburse the County, the City has agreed to accept an equivalent  reduction in its sales tax revenue. Contact: County Administrator  Stephen Whicher, 274-5551; Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Public Safety  Committee, 277-1374; Director of Emergency Response Lee Shurtleff,  257-3888.

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