Dr. Lifshitz told the board the report lists 97 measles cases and that state reporting showed 51 upstate cases last week; the county has no confirmed residents with measles and staff urged vaccination for those not immune.

I stood in the biting cold wind waiting for a bird that never came. #Birds #Ithaca #CayugaLake #Winter #Gulls #TompkinsCounty #HerringGull #RingbilledGull #LesserBlackbackedGull

The Department of Social Services told the Legislature that an expected federal reimbursement reduction for SNAP administration will raise the county’s local cost by about $740,000 beginning Oct. 2026. DSS proposed three new supervisory positions tied to fiscal and program oversight while removing other vacant posts; the department said the net local impact would be roughly neutral or slightly savings once offsets are applied.

The committee approved Resolution 14117 calling on the state legislature to pass the New York Health Act (S3425/A1466) before the end of the 2026 session; members debated implementation strategy and fiscal feasibility before a 3–1 committee vote.

Board members raised reports that a landlord on Green Street had evicted or planned to evict roughly 50 people. County and service providers described a by-name coordination process, legal-services funding and outreach to affected tenants.

The Legislature unanimously approved negative declarations and appropriations to support Finger Lakes Land Trust acquisitions and transfers that will protect about 130 acres near Green Springs Cemetery and additional wetlands and biodiversity parcels, using an established county natural‑infrastructure fund.

The legislature authorized an application for a $15 million Homeless Housing Assistance Program (HHAP) grant to fund an 80-bed adult shelter and approved related lease actions; county staff said professional estimates put total project costs near $18 million with an anticipated local contribution of roughly $3 million for construction and additional county furniture costs not covered by HHAP.

Tompkins County’s Facilities & Infrastructure Committee authorized submitting a DEC Climate Smart Communities grant application seeking $2 million toward a proposed ~$5.3 million district geothermal expansion that would serve the new center of government, the old jail and the main courthouse; the county would need to match at least $2 million and cover remaining costs.

Legislators endorse resolutions for housing development funding and solid waste management approval.

Seventeen properties in foreclosure will be auctioned online from June 12 to June 23.