The Tompkins County Legislature has approved a plan to temporarily relocate several county departments as part of the ongoing Center of Government project.
Under a 13-1 vote, the legislature approved a resolution introduced by Facilities and Infrastructure Committee Chair Lee Shurtleff (R-Groton, Dryden, Lansing). The Department of Assessment and the Office for the Aging will move to a recently purchased property at 31 Dutch Mill Road in the Town of Lansing. Meanwhile, the Board of Elections will temporarily occupy the current Office for the Aging space at 214 West State Street in Ithaca. Timelines for when departments will be operational in their new locations are expected to be announced soon.
Shurtleff said the move was driven by the economic benefits of purchasing rather than leasing the Lansing property, estimating annual savings of $250,000 for the county.
Legislator Shawna Black (D-Ithaca) voted against the resolution, citing accessibility concerns. “I have very strong beliefs that forward-facing departments need to be on the bus line and accessible to everyone,” she said.
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