Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget Adoption topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Rye Brook adopts 2025–26 budget; board approves $20.03 million tax levy, forms working group on chamber funding
Summary
The Rye Brook Board adopted the 2025–26 fiscal budget, approving a $20,029,001.22 tax levy and establishing capital projects. Trustees also agreed to form a working group to review a new $10,000 chamber allocation before funds are released.
The Rye Brook Board of Trustees voted unanimously to adopt the village’s 2025–26 annual budget, setting a $20,029,001.22 tax levy and establishing planned capital projects totaling $2,115,006.67.
Under amendments made in work sessions and at the public hearing, the board set the homestead tax rate at $5.0805 per $1,000 of assessed value and the non‑homestead rate at $7.9553 per $1,000, producing a blended levy rate of 5.4788 per $1,000. The administrator reported the village’s total assessable value for tax purposes at approximately $3.6 billion.
Trustees praised staff for budget preparation. Mayor Klein and several trustees thanked department heads and administrators for producing a budget described repeatedly as tight but sound, with clean audits and attention to multi‑year planning. The board emphasized that the budget preserves service levels residents expect, including snow removal, police, fire and emergency services.
Board discussion focused in part on a proposed increase to municipal support for the regional chamber of commerce. The budget includes a $10,000 allocation to the chamber intended to support local business outreach. Several trustees said they support the chamber’s mission but asked for clearer accountability and measurable goals before releasing funds. The board directed staff to form a small working group (two trustees plus the mayor and staff) to develop specific performance goals and reporting expectations; funds would not be forwarded until the group presents a recommended plan. The mayor noted that the village’s fiscal year timing means payments would not be made prior to June 1.
The board approved the budget by roll call: Trustee Epstein, Trustee Heizer, Trustee Krom and Mayor Klein voted yes. Trustees also authorized the receiver of taxes to collect the levy and established the capital project list as part of the adopted budget.
The board signaled it will monitor chamber performance, explore best practices used by other municipalities, and consider future budget adjustments depending on results from the working group.
