Highlights of the June 6, 2006 Tompkins County Legislature Meeting

The Legislature unanimously voted to ratify a bargaining agreement with Correction Officers Local 2062 Union for the years 2006, 2007, and 2008. Local 2062 Union represents 40 corrections officers that work in the Tompkins County Jail. Ratification of this agreement marks the conclusion of contract negotiations with Local 2062 Union, whose last contract expired on January 1, 2006.

The bargaining agreement includes a maximum one-time cash payment of $3,600 to members of the union in 2006, totaling $144,000. While the agreement does not include a base salary increase in 2006, there are base salary increases in subsequent years. The agreement calls for a 4%* base salary increase in 2007, followed by an additional 3.5% base salary increase in 2008.

*0.5% of the 4% base salary increase in 2007 is intended to directly offset reductions in the employee health insurance benefit package.

On June 20, 2006, the Tompkins County Legislature will hold a public hearing in regards to the 2006-2007 Tompkins Cortland Community College Operating Budget.

All persons interested in the subject matter are asked to attend the County Legislature meeting on Tuesday, June 20, 2006 at 5:30 pm. The meeting will be held in the Legislative Chambers of the Tompkins County Courthouse, located at 320 North Tioga Street in the City of Ithaca.

By unanimous vote, the Legislature authorized $29,945 in Room Tax funds for the beautification of major gateways to the Tompkins County community. The funds will be used for landscape plantings to include young trees, shrubs, perennials, etc. The Room Tax funds authorized tonight will leverage volunteer labor and materials provided by local business owners and citizens throughout the County.

Paula E. F. Younger has more than 17 years of experience working with federal, state, and local governments, as well as community-based organizations in developing strategies for enhancing service delivery and overall program effectiveness. As Deputy County Administrator, Ms. Younger will be charged with a broad range of organizational development and management responsibilities, to include strategic planning and implementation, establishing performance measures and processes for monitoring outcomes, overseeing Public Safety/Alternatives-to- Incarceration initiatives, and fostering a progressive, forward-thinking organizational "climate."

For the past six years, Shawn Martel-Moore has served as the Tompkins County Director of Human Rights and has built a program that works closely with other departments and the broader community to assure that timely and meticulous services are available to all. As Deputy County Administrator, Ms. Martel-Moore will allocate 60% of her time to continuing her leadership with the Human Rights program and focus her remaining time on building the County’s Diversity initiatives, overseeing contracts compliance, developing plans for emergencies and establishing management cabinets and data sharing protocols.

As of July 10, 2006, Marcia E. Lynch will be the Public Information Officer. Ms. Lynch has worked in media relations and broadcasting for over 25 years. Long-time residents of Tompkins County may remember Ms. Lynch from her days on the radio with WVBR and WTKO as well as for her work with the City of Ithaca Fire Department.