1. Start with the geography your firm actually serves
Cortland city and Cortland County are not interchangeable labels. The Census record identifies Cortland as a municipality and places it in Cortland County; it does not establish where prospective clients search, call or retain counsel. That distinction matters when a dashboard includes city data or service-and-city targets. A report can be technically accurate while still answering the wrong geographic question if the firm treats the city, county, New York, households and individuals as the same audience. The public ROI Dashboard page says its reporting can include city data and tracked service-and-city targets. It does not establish which Cortland-area targets would be appropriate for your firm.
Recommended approach
Bring a written service-area definition to the consultation. Separate Cortland city from Cortland County and from any broader New York coverage. Ask which geographic labels will appear in the dashboard, how they will be named, and which decisions each label is meant to support. Do not use the Cortland population estimate as a forecast of matters or revenue.
