Tompkins County committee accepts $1.79 million in clean energy tax credits, adds interest to Green Fleet fund

Tompkins County’s Facilities and Infrastructure Committee voted June 26 to accept federal clean energy tax credits the county had been awarded under the Inflation Reduction Act and to direct the funds into its green capital programs.

Terry, Planning and Sustainability staff, told the committee the county originally budgeted about $1.7 million from the tax credits for green facilities projects. She said the county also received roughly $43,000 in interest because the federal reimbursement check was delayed; the committee approved placing the interest into the county’s Green Fleet capital fund.

Terry described the line-item breakdown to the committee: "$1,747,767 is putting into the green facilities capital fund" and the added interest brings the Green Fleet allotment to about "$81,481" for vehicle purchases and leases. She said roughly $100,000 of the larger green facilities funds would offset new boilers for the human services building and about $300,000 would be used for solar canopies at the health department, which the county expects to offset by applying for future tax-credit reimbursements.

County Administrator Norma clarified the accounting and confirmed the funds are recorded within the capital program and cannot be moved to another project without legislative authorization. Finance staff later asked to split a single revenue line into two lines—one for federal aid capital project revenue and one for interest and earnings—to more precisely reflect the source of funds; the mover and seconder agreed and the committee approved the updated revenue coding. The committee chair called the vote and “Motion carries.”

No dissent was recorded; the resolution was moved by Greg and seconded by Mike. The legislation was identified as Resolution ID 13363.

Committee members thanked Terry for grant work and noted staff will return if further decisions on energy supply contracts are needed.