Press release
Jason Molino, currently City Manager of the City of Batavia, New York, has accepted Tompkins County’s offer of employment to become the County’s next County Administrator. Mr. Molino’s selection is subject to formal appointment by the Tompkins County Legislature—that action scheduled for the Legislature’s December 19th meeting. The new administrator’s start date will be determined, once the appointment becomes official.
A credentialed local government management professional by the International City/County Management Association (ICMA), with diversified experience in public administration, Mr. Molino has served as the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Fiscal Officer of the City of Batavia (Genesee County) since 2006, leading a city workforce of 130 (departments of Police, Fire, Public Works, Community/Economic Development, and Youth Bureau) and administering an annual operating budget of $25 million and a $25 million capital plan. From 2004 to 2006, he served as Assistant to the Village Manager for the Village of Port Chester, New York, where he assisted in projects and issues related to operations, personnel, labor negotiations, and public engagement. Mr. Molino is also a veteran, having served in the United States Coast Guard Reserve for seven years, achieving the rank of Petty Officer Second Class.
“We are very pleased to have Jason coming to join our team,” said Michael Lane, Chair of the Tompkins County Legislature. “He brings with him a strong background in budgeting, labor relations, and management oversight; and has compiled a strong record of supervising a multi-department workforce, inter-municipal cooperation, and securing important grant funding for his community. Jason’s credentials are a great fit for county government and I know our residents and businesses will welcome him and work with him to keep our county moving forward on its course for success.”
“I am truly honored to be given this opportunity to work for such a progressive community,” Mr. Molino said. “Tompkins County is recognized across the State of New York as a leader in government, and I’m looking forward to being part of this team. My family and I are eager to become members of the community and enjoy all that Tompkins County has to offer.”
Mr. Molino holds a Master of Public Administration degree from the Rockefeller College of Public Affairs & Policy, University of Albany, State University of New York and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Norwich University, Northfield, Vermont. Mr. Molino is married with four children (ages 3, 5, 7, and 18) and currently resides in Batavia, New York.
Tompkins County began a national search for a new County Administrator in July 2017, after former administrator Joe Mareane announced his intent to retire. A diverse search committee comprised of county legislators, department heads, labor representatives, and community members narrowed a field of more than 20 applicants and conducted interviews. Three were recommended to the full County Legislature and were interviewed by all 14 members; new Legislators-elect observed and asked questions.
The County Administrator is the chief executive officer of Tompkins County. The Administrator serves at the pleasure of the Legislature and is responsible for conveying the will of the Legislature to departments and representing the concerns of departments to the Legislature. The Administrator is routinely charged with highly complex projects and challenging responsibilities, among them development of the annual recommended County budget, appointment and supervision of non-elected department heads, ensuring that policies of the Legislature are followed, managing special projects of the Legislature, and representing the County Legislature at the state and local level.
Deputy County Administrator Paula Younger has served as Interim County Administrator since mid-November.