Other than a few resolutions, the entire meeting was devoted to the hearing on the 2026 budget.
In a 4-1 vote, the Board adopted the Preliminary 2026 budget without any changes. Councilwoman Siegel voted no.
A copy of the budget is available at:
https://www.yorktownny.gov/media/f1clxqnn/final_-_2025_adopted_budget_12-10-2024_.pdf
The budget has a zero tax increase for the “town” tax that covers the General, Library and Highway Funds that all taxpayers pay, tax increases for the garbage and EMS funds that only residential property owners pay, and an increase in the water district fund for those on town water.
Taxpayers in the Hallocks Mill Sewer District, aka YS district, will also see a tax increase, while taxpayers in most of the Peekskill sewer districts will see a decrease.
Note: The actual tax rates for 2026 won’t be set until March when the tax rate will reflect the town’s total assessed value as of March.
Only four residents spoke at the hearing. Two, including former Supervisor Gilbert who will be joining the Board in January, expressed concern that the zero increase in the town tax was unrealistic and, citing what happened in 2025 when a 7.4% increase followed two years of zero increases, feared what could happen in 2027. They urged the Board to take a more long range view when adopting yearly budgets. One speaker called attention to the falling assessed value of some of the town’s commercial properties.
Lynn Briggs, chair of the Heritage Preservation Commission, asked the Board to meet with representatives of the many organizations who have been planning for the town’s 250 celebration in order to prioritize the events and programs along with a commitment of town funds. In response, Supervisor Lachterman identified a series of events and programs he said were being planned.
A fourth resident asked about the resolution that included an $80,000 budget transfer in the Refuse budget to cover additional dumping fees.
Councilwoman Siegel basically agreed with the two residents about the unrealistic nature of the zero tax increase in the town tax and expressed concern that some of the revenue projections, especially for sales tax and mortgage tax might be too high. In response, the comptroller defended the estimates and called them conservative. Councilman Siegel also objected to a portion of the raise for Board members. In response, Supervisor Lachterman defended the full raise saying that it was needed to attract people to run for the elected position. The councilwoman also objected to the $60,000 expense for a public relations consultant and she had questions about the town’s legal bills as well as why the town was not collecting for legal fees included in the Master Fee Schedule.
For a video of the meeting, click
yorktownny.granicus.com/MediaPlayer.php?view_id=1&clip_id=2031