Ithaca · Local digest

The Ithaca Common Council is debating compensation changes for elected officials. The council considered raising the mayor's salary from $30,000 to potentially $52,166.40 (based on the county living wage for full-time work) and increasing council members' compensation by 14.5% to $19,562.40. An initial proposal for a $75,000 mayoral salary proved divisive and did not pass. The debate centers on whether the mayoral position remains part-time following the 2022 shift to a city manager system, with council members split on whether current workload justifies higher compensation. Council also voted to form a special committee to study the city's governmental structure with recommendations due by June 2027. The compensation resolutions will be taken up at a future council meeting. (Ithaca Voice)

Nearly four years after the City of Ithaca's Common Council approved lowering the citywide speed limit from 30 to 25 MPH, the change officially went into effect this week. The City stated the measure marks "the next step in the community's ongoing efforts to create safer streets for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians alike." Acting Superintendent of Public Works Scott Gibson noted that even a few miles per hour reduction can meaningfully prevent crashes and protect vulnerable road users. A total of 116 new speed limit signs are being installed on city streets to implement the change. State-owned roads including portions of Routes 13, 79, 89, 96, and 96B may continue to have higher posted speed limits, while school zones and other locations with existing regulations may have lower limits.

The Tompkins County Budget Committee meeting on September 23, 2026 reviewed transportation and other departmental budgets relevant to Ithaca. TCAT reported an 8% increase in revenue service hours from fall 2025 to fall 2026, adding 163.8 hours per week with new trips on rural routes 20, 21, 37, and 43, and weekend summer park service resumed for the first time since 2023. However, TCAT faces significant cost pressures including 44% increases in average fuel costs per gallon, 23% increases in insurance and fringe costs, and is requesting an additional $65,718 annually from each underwriter (Tompkins County, City of Ithaca, and Cornell University) to address a projected $1.7 million operating deficit in 2027. The county's TCAT underwriter contribution was corrected to $1,104,358, approximately 0.49% of the county tax levy. Budget deliberations continue with voting meetings scheduled for October 5 and 8, with a public forum on October 1 where residents can comment on the recommended budget.