ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) – Plans for department relocation may change yet again in Tompkins County.
On October 7, lawmakers heard public comments during the meeting of the Legislature that were largely in opposition to the Office for the Aging’s (COFA) planned move to Lansing.
COFA and the Tompkins County Board of Elections were originally slated to move to the building as part of the county’s Center of Government building project. The resolution originally passed 13-1, with Legislator Shawna Black opposed, saying at the time that front-facing departments need to be highly accessible to the people they serve.
The Board of Elections’ move was scrapped after significant public feedback. Legislator Shawna Black says, after hearing from some constituents, it may be time to reconsider COFA’s move as well.
District 12 representative Amanda Champion agrees and says the public should be given the same opportunity to weigh in on COFA as it did the Board of Elections.
Legislator Greg Mezey is willing to revisit the discussion provided they utilize the data collected about who visits COFA, how often they’re going, and how they get there.
Tompkins County voted on August 5 to acquire the Lansing property on Dutchmill Road for $1.2 million. The move was necessary for space and a cheaper alternative to leasing.
You can watch the full October 7 Tompkins County Legislature meeting here.
