ITHACA, NY (607NewsNow) — Tompkins County must fill a financial gap.

Tompkins County Legislative Chair Shawna Black said the county’s 2027 budget is not yet whole.

“At this point we are seeing around a 17% gap, if we were to just keep things the same as we kept them last year,” she said.

To fill the gap, Black said the county can either increase revenue or decrease expenses. She said dipping into the county’s fund balance is a “less preferable” option.

FULL INTERVIEW: Tompkins County Legislative Chair Shawna Black on 607 This Morning