Tompkins County is beginning a community-wide engagement process as part of its ongoing minimum wage study, with the first public session scheduled for Tuesday, March 24.
The kickoff event will run from 6 to 8 p.m. at Tompkins County Whole Health, located at 55 Brown Road in Ithaca. Officials say the meeting is the first in a series of community conversations aimed at gathering input as the county considers the possibility of setting a local minimum wage above New York State’s current $16 per hour.
County leaders say the process is designed to hear directly from residents, workers, and businesses before any policy decisions are made.
“This study is fundamentally about listening,” said Legislature Chair Shawna Black. “We want to hear from workers, businesses, service providers, and residents so that any decisions reflect real experiences and community needs.”
The March 24 session will focus on open discussion and idea sharing, with additional meetings planned in the coming weeks targeting specific groups, including workers, employers, and policy experts. County officials say they are also working to address barriers to participation, such as childcare and transportation.
The study was authorized by the Tompkins County Legislature and is being conducted by the Cornell ILR Ithaca Co-Lab under a contract running through December 2026. The project includes research, public meetings, and the development of a final report with potential policy recommendations.
Officials say the study will examine a range of factors, including cost-of-living differences across the county, impacts on workers and businesses, employment trends, and effects on public services like healthcare and childcare.
According to data supporting the study, about half of wage earners in Tompkins County make less than the local living wage, currently estimated at $24.82 per hour for a single adult without children.
County Administrator Korsah Akumfi said the goal is to take a thoughtful, data-driven approach.
“We are working to fully understand both the benefits and challenges of a potential countywide minimum wage,” Akumfi said.
All sessions will be open to the public, and residents are encouraged to attend or participate in future meetings. Additional information and updates will be posted on the county’s website.
