Veronica Pillar

Solar panels on county roofs

Expected to be net positive for the county, with nearly the entire system covered by grants and federal tax credits.

Recycling and waste reduction budget amendment

A proposed $500,000 increase to the 2027 Recycling and Materials Management enterprise fund, supported by a $5 annual solid waste fee.

Tompkins Food Future Food System Finding Funds proposal

Any funding would come from the 2027 county budget; an amount has not been set.

Peak Electricity Demand Management Outreach

No direct county cost; the flyer is produced with an AmeriCorps volunteer and folded into existing Business Energy Advisor reports.

Countywide Skip the Stuff Local Law

County disposal savings could run roughly $19,000–$33,000 a year, plus up to $820,000 in savings for local restaurants, though enforcement costs are unknown.

County Investment in Waste Diversion

Any expansion would require new county funding; amounts have not been proposed.

Biosolids Working Group

Unknown; viability and cost-effectiveness at county scale are still being studied.

District Geothermal for County Buildings

A district-wide geothermal expansion could add $3-5 million to the capital program.

Finger Lakes Reuse funding crisis

The organization sought an additional $400,000 per year from the county; no commitment was made.

Climate Action Plan 2026 update

Heat pump owners may face higher winter operating costs than gas heating, which the county is challenging through the NYSEG rate case.

2026 Tax Foreclosure Auction and Land Disposition

The county keeps paying small tax amounts to Newfield and the school district on the withheld stormwater parcels; cleanup of the Enfield parcel could cost $10,000 or more.

Recycling commodity revenue decline and solid waste law updates

Not yet known; a part-time solid waste code enforcement officer position was budgeted this year.

Water Resources Council bylaws update

None — this is an organizational housekeeping change.

Biosolids gasification and PFAS destruction

2027 Recycling and Solid Waste Fee Structure

Annual fee up $10 per unit (about 12%); hauler license fee proposal would rise tenfold if adopted.

Spotted lanternfly invasion

Unknown, but the pest poses potential economic risk to apple and grape crops.

Rabies post-exposure treatment costs

$47,000 from the contingency fund; the county bills insurance where possible.

Countywide Resilience Implementation Strategy grant application

Up to $250,000 in state grant funding, with the 10% match covered by existing staff time rather than new county dollars.

Cayuga Lake water withdrawal permit for TeraWulf data center site

Special data center utility rates could shield other ratepayers from cost impacts if enacted.

Farmland protection grant support for Oechsner Farms

A one-time $2,500 hit to the contingent fund; if this recurs, staff suggest adding it to the planning department budget.

Resolution: Negative Determination of Environmental Significance – Bergman Acquisition (ID #14187)

Resolution: Negative Determination of Environmental Significance – Osadchey and Wallding Acquisition (ID #14189)

Resolution: Negative Determination of Environmental Significance – Schneider Acquisition (ID #14191)

Negative Determination of Environmental Significance (ID #14122)

Closed Landfill Environmental Monitoring Contract (ID #13957)

Advisory board appointment — Environmental Management Council

Resolution No. 2026-3: Resolution Requesting New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) to Reject the Modified Water Withdrawal Permit Application from Cayuga Operating Company, LLC