The proposal shows eight transmitting sites, six of which already exist. Two new sites – unlighted towers of a maximum height of 180 feet – would potentially need to be constructed. The proposal suggests putting the new structures on parcels of land on Aiken Road in Trumansburg and Taft Road in Caroline. These two parcels were identified in earlier studies as potential tower sites, and the County secured options to buy the parcels from private landowners in case they were ever needed. The Taft Road site would transmit signals to the Speedsville/Caroline area, which has been historically lacking in coverage. An alternative site to Taft Road is also being investigated, Lalley said. It is important to note that no decision has been made to build any new transmitting sites.  

    The cost for construction or leasing of transmission sites has not been determined. Many more steps are needed, explained Lalley, before Board approval can be sought for the project. Among these steps are meetings with fire, law enforcement, and emergency medical technicians to determine the best way to transition from the old to a new system. The County will also work with municipalities and emergency agencies on a plan to help them pay for new pagers, which will be required. Contacts: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, ComCap Committee 277-1374; Joe Lally, 255-4394. 

SHERIFF’S DEPUTY WILL REPLACE GUARD AT AIRPORT 
    The Board unanimously approved a transition in airport security at the Ithaca-Tompkins Regional Airport from the National Guard to the Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office. The federal government’s Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has ruled that National Guard security will be removed from airports May 10 and that responsibility for security will shift to the individual airports. Sheriff’s deputies will take over at the County airport, at an estimated cost of $50 an hour through October, and $30 an hour thereafter. The higher rate reflects the cost of overtime pay until new deputies can be hired and trained. The cost for 2002 will be covered by the airport’s fund balance, a pool of federal funds. A federal reimbursement rate for airport security is currently being discussed in Congress. Three deputies will be hired to allow the Sheriff’s office to maintain road patrol coverage while handling airport security. Contacts: Barbara Blanchard, Chair, Public Works Committee, 277-1374; Sheriff Peter Meskill, 257-1345. 

PROCESS TO SHRINK COUNTY BUDGET IS MOVING AHEAD 
    Tompkins County officials are continuing in their quest for a workable plan to cut County spending. Previous predictions have indicated that a 38 percent property tax increase would be needed in 2003 to maintain all County services and complete all proposed capital projects. Deputy County Administrator Kathy Smithers presented an overview of what could be done with the 2003 budget to hold a tax increase to just over 10 percent while reducing spending by 11.7 to 20 percent. This scenario assumes no or very limited new spending and postpones several capital projects. Board Chair Tim Joseph noted that the scenario assumes difficult choices the Board has not made, and that much study and discussion is needed before any firm predictions can be made. 

    Last month all County departments and County-funded agencies were requested to show how they could reduce their 2003 budgets by 20 percent. County Administrator Steve Whicher reported to the Board that he has heard from all but a few departments and agencies and will be compiling an executive summary of the spending-cut scenarios soon. In addition, County Board program committees will begin to review the scenarios in more detail in the coming weeks. The County Budget Committee voted last week not to impose specific cuts in the 2002 budget, but departments and agencies are being urged to reduce current spending wherever they can. Contacts: Peter Penniman, Budget Committee Chair, 387-5897; County Administrator Stephen Whicher, 274-5551; Deputy County Administrator Kathy Smithers, 274-5551. 

FIRM TO STUDY COUNTY’S SPACE NEEDS; DESIGN GOES AHEAD FOR 911 CENTER 
    By a vote of 8-4 (Reps. Barbara Blanchard, Michael Koplinka- Loehr, Peter Penniman, and George Totman voted no; Reps. Kathy Luz Herrera, Thomas Todd and Daniel Winch were absent) the Board approved a contract of up to $49,300 with engineering firm Welliver-McGuire, of Elmira, to review the County’s space needs and possible future renovations. In another matter, the Board unanimously approved a $37,500 contract with an Ithaca firm, Egner Achitectural Associates, to create a schematic design for the Consolidated 911 Communications Center, to be located near the Ithaca- Tompkins Regional Airport. Contacts: Board Chair Tim Joseph, 277-2519; County Administrator Stephen Whicher, 274-5551. 

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