Residents decry proposed 17% tax increase at Schenectady budget hearing; council schedules follow-up

Schenectady City Council held a public hearing Oct. 14 on the proposed 2026 operating and capital budget, and several residents urged the council and mayor to reduce a proposed 17% property tax increase and to rethink recent changes to garbage fees and city programs.

The hearing drew eight scheduled public commenters and additional speakers who raised concerns about the scale of the proposed tax increase, the city’s use of American Rescue Plan Act funding, the garbage sticker program, capital purchases for the police department and cuts to teen employment programs.

"This year's whopping 17% tax increase ... is just inexcusable and unacceptable," said Joe Anderson, president of Boulevard Appreciation Neighborhood Association, who described rising housing and utility costs facing residents. "Cuts need to be made and efficiencies need to be found while expanding the tax base and bringing in more revenue."

Other speakers quantified and questioned budget line items. "This proposed budget, I estimate, would increase my monthly mortgage payments by at least $50 a month," said Sean Radigan, who also…