Shawna Black
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Voice
- Meetings spoken in
- 24
- Total speaking time
- 7:38:36
- Avg per meeting
- 19:07
- Segments
- 7996
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Top issues during term (20)
2027 County Budget and 2027-2031 Capital Program
Sets the county's spending plan and five-year capital priorities; no minutes were provided, so the adopted figures are unknown.
Countywide Minimum Wage Study
Unknown; the study examines potential effects of raising the minimum wage for private and public employers countywide.
Comprehensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Plan
Could raise roughly $950,000 a year in new revenue, nearly tripling what vehicle owners currently pay at registration.
Housing Affordability and Target Market Analysis
$50,000 state grant funds the planning work; no county cost.
Community Justice Center contract pulled for more review
Up to $100,000 per year of county money for three years, subject to annual appropriation.
Vehicle Use Tax Discussion
Would raise vehicle registration costs for county residents if enacted; the proposed increase amount is not stated in the agenda.
2027 County Budget Process and Online Budget Book
A 7.69% tax levy increase is proposed, above the roughly 2.86% tax cap.
Special Victims Unit and Survivor-Centered Prosecution
Not yet determined — the Sheriff said resources to establish and sustain the unit still must be identified.
Medicaid Cuts to Autism (ABA) Services
State reimbursement cuts could shrink the pool of autism providers accepting Medicaid, shifting families to fewer, costlier options.
Youth Deer Hunting Pilot Program Extension
About $200 in youth permit fees last year — negligible to the county budget.
Countywide drug task force and methamphetamine seizures
Homelessness, Code Blue cuts, and the Asteri evictions
State allocation cut by $1.159 million; county capping local share at zero for now.
Homeless services and shelter contract
The project's capital depends heavily on state HHAP funding; the county has already purchased the building and may supplement costs.
Continuation of virtual public meetings
No direct cost noted; it preserves access options for residents who can't attend in person.
Vehicle Use Tax as EMS Funding Mechanism
An increased local vehicle use tax share would raise new countywide revenue for EMS services.
Kratom Regulation
2025 Audit Results
Costs $41,250 from the 2026 budget, funded partly through vacancy savings.
Natural Infrastructure funding for three land conservation acquisitions
$94,425 from a fund whose balance would drop to about $285,000, with no replenishment in the last three budget years.
New Recycling Regulations Effective July 1
Not specified; a program vision and 2027 budget presentation was requested.
Tompkins County Animal Abuse Registry (Local Law No. d of 2026)
A proposed $100 registration fee was debated and dropped; the Sheriff will decide any fee, and the registry itself is expected to cost little given fewer than ten local convictions a year.
Decisions during term (640)
Recorded while Black was in office — not necessarily decisions they moved, spoke to, or voted on.
Approval of Minutes — October 19, 2026
Bond Resolution — $2,400,000 for Road and Highway Reconstruction (ID #14443)
Bond Resolution — $655,270 for Townline Road Bridge (ID #14444)
Bond Resolution — $204,600 for Hines Road Bridge (ID #14445)
Bond Resolution — $374,495 for Genung Road Bridge (ID #14446)
Bond Resolution — $1,675,000 for Construction and Maintenance Machinery (ID #14447)
Contingent Fund Appropriation — DMV Terminal Pay Reimbursement (ID #14470)
Whole Health Budget Adjustment — AOT and Complex Care Positions (ID #14441)
Payment to TC3 for 2026–2027 Capital Program (ID #14467)
Year-End Resolutions I through N (IDs #14411, #14401, #14402, #14409, #14410, #14412)
Adoption of 2027 County Budget and 2027–2031 Capital Program (ID #14425)
Vehicle Use Tax Increase for Emergency Medical Services (ID #14481)
Resolution: Authorization to Participate in Various Contracts Let by Any Government Entity of the United States of America (ID #14412)
Consent Agenda (Resolutions A, C–J and Advisory Board Appointment)
Res. No. _g_ – Medicaid Safety Net Payment and Budget Adjustment
Res. No. _k_ – Whole Health Grant Acceptance (Safer Communities Act / Block Grant)
Res. No. _l_ – Comprehensive County EMS Plan Submission
Res. No. _m_ – Victims' Rights Resolution (Weiser)
Res. No. _N_ – Contingent Fund Appropriation, Automotive Fuel for the Sheriff's Office
Minutes of Previous Meetings
Voting record (186)
Oldest to newest — hover a bar for the item.
Negative Declaration for Authorizing Disbursement of Tourism Capital Grant (ID #14373)
Resolution No. 2026-202: Resolution Authorizing an Independent Comprehensive Review of the District Attorney's Office and Calling for Policy Changes in Alignment with Victim-Centered Practices
Monroe Balancing Test - 654 Elmira Road, Ithaca, New York (ID #14393)
Award of 2026 Tourism Capital Grants (ID #14342)
October 1, 2026 Minutes
Consent Agenda
Adoption of Amendments to the 2027 Tentative Tompkins County Budget and 2027-2031 Capital Program (ID #14302)
Approval of the 2027 Amendment to the Municipal Cooperative Agreement for the Greater Tompkins County Municipal Health Insurance Consortium (ID #14400)
Renewal of Tompkins County Board of Elections Lease (ID #14369)
Adoption of Local Law No. 6 of 2026 - A Local Law Amending the Authorized Exemption from Taxes Pursuant to Sections 459-c and 467 of the New York State Real Property Tax Law for Certain Older and Disa
Consent Agenda (Res. Nos. 2026-203 through 2026-210 and appointments)
Packman amendment to Res. 2026-202 (seven case-specific WHEREAS clauses)
Surprise amendments were a discourtesy to colleagues and to the DA.
Resolution No. 2026-202: Independent Comprehensive Review of the District Attorney's Office
The resolution was adopted by a roll call vote.
The consent agenda was adopted by roll call vote.
Add Resolution N — Voluntary Intoxication Exclusion Loophole — to agenda
Add Resolution 2026-200 — Monroe Balancing Test public hearing — to agenda
Consent Agenda (Resolutions a, b, c, f, g and Board of Health appointment)
CJC — Amendment to amendment restoring three-year term (FAILED)
CJC — Dawson amendment shortening contract to two years (PASSED)
Resolution 2026-194 — Community Justice Center contract (adopted 14-1)
Resolution 2026-195 — TC3 capital funding, $251,100 from Contingent Fund
Motion — County Attorney legal opinion on Cornell Greek-letter property tax exemptions
Resolution 2026-196 — Public hearing on Local Law No. f (senior/disabled tax exemption income limits)
Resolution 2026-197 — Local Law No. 5 of 2026, Youth Deer Hunting Pilot Program (adopted 13-2)
Resolution 2026-198 — Rabies post-exposure biologicals, $47,000 contingent funds
Resolution 2026-199 — Stephen M. Dewitt reappointed Democratic Election Commissioner
Resolution 2026-200 — Public hearing on Monroe Balancing Test analysis, 654 Elmira Road shelter
Resolution — Call to close the Voluntary Intoxication Exclusion Loophole
Minutes of Previous Meeting — September 15, 2026
Resolution No. 2026-188: Support for the Department of Planning and Sustainability to use Budgeted Funds for Housing Target Market
Resolution No. 2026-188: Housing Target Market Analysis Funding
In a budget crisis, it is not a good time to spend $25,000 on studies.