TOMPKINS COUNTY, N.Y. — County Administrator Lisa Holmes announced her plans to retire from the position at year’s end Wednesday. Holmes was the first woman in the county’s history to hold the role of its top budget officer.

Holmes was selected by the Tompkins County Legislature to fill the permanent position in 2022, after former County Administrator Jason Molino announced his departure 10 months prior.

During that time, Holmes performed the duties of a county administrator on an interim basis, after working as deputy county administrator under Molino.

The county administrator is responsible for managing the county’s budget and nearly 30 departments. They oversee and coordinate county government operations to carry out policies and procedures established by the county legislature. 

Holmes held the position during tumultuous times for the county, including through the later stages of the COVID-19 pandemic and the ongoing process of implementing resolutions from the Reimagining Public Safety effort, an extensive criminal justice plan introduced by former mayor Svante Myrick and Molino in 2021.

Holmes started working in local government in 1998 at the county’s Office for the Aging (COFA), serving as the director of the agency before transitioning to administrative work. In total, Holmes worked for the county for 26 years, having spent the last six in county administration.

“I took on each of those roles to offer stability and leadership to the organization during a time of rapid change,” Holmes said in the county’s statement announcing her retirement. “We’re still in a period of rapid change, with the county at the forefront of addressing many local challenges while simultaneously implementing several capital projects.”

Holmes complimented the strength of the county as an organization in her remarks. When Holmes leaves at the end of the year, she said the “talented staff and department leaders are well equipped” to continue facing challenges in the county.

“Being the county administrator has certainly been a privilege and the pinnacle of my career in public service,” Holmes said in the statement. “I will continue giving the role my best effort until my retirement.”

Details about the county’s search for Holmes’ replacement have not yet been shared by county officials.