I am appreciative of the $4 million contribution being offered by Cornell, and recognize the challenges that our City negotiating team has navigated to achieve this proposed agreement. That said, I want to see the City and Cornell continue to negotiate the MOU and not rush into accepting this offer.
- We need a shorter term period of 5- or 7-years. The 20-year term lets Cornell off the hook. A 5 or 7 year term for renegotiation and renewal would keep Cornell involved and engaged in our City and solidify its ongoing partnership in addressing our community’s needs. Our social, economic and environmental challenges are constantly changing – we need an ongoing dialogue and partnership with Cornell to maintain and enhance Ithaca’s vitality.
- Four million dollars does not come close to bridging the gap that we all pay due to Cornell’s tax exempt status. Cornell’s non-payment of school taxes leaves City taxpayers having to fund school-aged programming and child care to meet community demands, with growing waiting lists of underserved families.
- Indexing Cornell’s contribution to the rate of inflation alone binds us to a shrinking contribution over time. City services are labor intensive, and pension and healthcare obligations grow faster than inflation. Their $4 million contribution will quickly lose its purchasing power in the City budget. With a 20-year agreement, the City will be hamstrung with Cornell’s diminishing contribution.