AUBURN - The Cayuga County Legislature on Tuesday approved a 3-percent increase in contribution to Cayuga Community College, slightly below what college officials had requested.

The Legislature spent more than 30 minutes debating the issue with the final vote, 9-6. Christopher Palermo, David Axton, Raymond Lockwood, Francis Mitchell, Steven Cuddeback and Peter Tortorici opposed the 3-percent increase. Funding from the county has been flat since 2006.

Cayuga Community College initially asked for a 4-percent increase in county contribution. Currently, the county contributes $2,678,400. The additional 4 percent would have increased that amount by $107,136. Instead, the county will contribute an additional $80,352. The proposed budget for the college for the 2008-09 fiscal year is approximately $27.875 million, said Cayuga Community College President Daniel Larson.

“We are very pleased with the support of the county Legislature,” Larson said. “We recognize that these are difficult economic times and that they did not see their way clear to the 4-percent increase that was requested. Three percent, though, is fine. We can work with that.”

The Legislature proposed amendments to the original resolution of 4 percent, with requests to keep the contribution the same, change the increase to 2 percent, change the increase to 2.5 percent and finally, change the increase to 3 percent.

During the discussion, Michael Chapman, R-Cato, voiced his support for the 4-percent increase.

“History shows us that when we have not made investments in our resources, it potentially comes home to roost. I do not want to add the college to that list,” he said.

Linda Murphy, R-Auburn, agreed with Chapman.

“The college is one of the greatest assets that this community has. It's what keeps things going,” she said.

Some legislators, however, did not agree with the increase. Tortorici, R-Auburn, said that while he fully supports the college, he cannot support the 4-percent increase.

Palermo, R-Sterling, also opposed the increase.

“It's really hard right now because we don't have a clear picture of our own budget. ... And I don't have any way to prioritize just because our budget process is just starting,” he said. “The economy is not usually in this shape. Coupled with the problems the state is having, it's going to be a really difficult year. I would feel comfortable with a 2-percent increase because I think that what we'll be giving up then will be bearable.”

Legislators who fully supported the 4-percent increase were satisfied with the outcome.

Daniel Schuster, D-Auburn, said during the discussion that without the county's additional funding, the students would “bear the brunt” of the additional increases in cost.

“Three-percent is better than zero,” he said after the meeting.

In other news:

* The Legislature unanimously passed resolutions to hire Katharine O'Connell as the interim county director of mental health and the interim director of the Community Services Board.

* The Legislature passed a resolution that allows the Oswego County ATV Club access to the Hojack Trail from Oswego County west to the Cato/Fair Haven Trail and north to Fair Haven Road. The resolution passed 12-3, with Michael Chapman, Steven Cuddeback and Daniel Schuster dissenting.

Staff writer Gitana Mirochnik can be reached at 253-5311 ext. 237 or gitana.mirochnik@lee.net