Jamestown Community College Trustees received a first look this week at the preliminary 2026-27 budget.

At the finance and budget committee meeting, Vice President of Finance and Operations Karen Fuller-Markham said project expenses are $34,589,644 while projected revenues are $34,103,610 leaving a projected deficit of $486,034.

“We are working toward a balanced, and sustainable budget focused on maintaining balance without using fund balance for recurring operations to ensure long-term sustainability,” Fuller-Markham said.

She added that the budget is based on 2,200 full-time equivalent students, and 90% residence hall occupancy which is 290 beds out of 320.

She added that JCC is proactively pursuing enrollment growth among adult learners through initiatives such as the SUNY Reconnect program. Fuller-Markham noted New York state aid remains flat, and $224,000 in restricted funding will help offset increased costs.

She said modest increases in county sponsor support are planned with 2.2% from Cattaraugus County and 2% from Chautauqua County. Tuition and fees are also projected to increase by about 2.68 percent. She said the increase will add $156 annually to students’ costs for the 2026-27 year.

The College Connections Program, she noted, a key enrollment and revenue component, transitioned to a superintendent-approved funding model in fall of 2025. The per-credit-hour billing rate is increasing from $27 to $84 beginning in the fall. The budget, she said, assumes participation will remain at or above 595 FTE students, consistent with enrollment trends.

Personnel costs are also projected to increase in the new spending plan. Salary increases include 3.5% for Professional and Supervisor Alliance, a 1.5% Faculty Association schedule step increase, and a 3% adjustment to Service Association member salaries, along with continued funding for steps and longevity. Salaries for deans, executive directors, and non-represented employees will increase at 3.5 percent. Vice presidents will receive a 3 percent increase, and JCC President Daniel DeMArte will hold his salary consistent with the prior year, she added.

“This year it is really nice, because all of the contracts are settled,” Fuller-Markham said. “It has been a long time since the budgets have been done, knowing exactly what all of the groups are receiving, so that is a great thing.”

She added that JCC is still working on balancing the budget so no reserve fund balance will be used.

“I’ll just say, in terms of this budget, I feel more confident with this budget than I have in a very long time,” DeMarte said.

Finance and Audit Committee members are scheduled to meet again on July 14.

In other business the Buildings and Grounds Committee gave an update JCC’s state Child Care award.

Gov. Kathy Hochul announced more than $106 million in awards through the Childcare Capital Construction Funding Program to support 37 projects that will create and expand access to quality childcare across New York State.

In Chautauqua County, operating out of Chautauqua Lake Central School, Chautauqua Lake Child Care Center was awarded $4,734,578, and JCC was awarded $2,895,600.

“We were the only community college (to receive an award),” DeMarte said.

The president added that the money will be used to renovate and expand the Katherine Jackson Carnahan Center for a capacity of 100 daycare children.

The program provides funding for projects that create new childcare capacity or expand existing licensed, registered and permitted childcare programs. Funding may be used for design, construction, reconstruction, renovation and equipment purchases needed to increase the availability of quality childcare across New York State. The program is overseen by the New York State Office of Children and Family Services and administered by the Dormitory Authority of the State of New York.