Suffern trustees adopt 2025–26 budget with 0% tax increase; set water and sewer rates

The Village of Suffern Board of Trustees on July 28, 2025 adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget and approved local laws establishing water and sewer rates for the coming year, with trustees saying there will be a 0% increase in property taxes for the village portion of the levy.

Treasurer Greg Smith presented six resolutions tied to the budget, including two budget transfers and resolutions to set sewer and water rents for 2025–26. Smith told the board the state reviewed and approved the budget without recommendations. “Just so you know, the budget is a 0 percent — the tax increase will be a 0% tax increase,” Smith told trustees.

The board approved the resolutions adopting local law to establish sewer rents and a separate local law to establish water rates. Trustees conducted roll call votes for those resolutions; Trustee Steve Alpert, Deputy Mayor Joe Meakin Corrigan, Trustee Hogue and Trustee Osborne recorded “yes” votes, and Mayor Crowley also voted yes when a roll call was taken. The trustee vote to adopt the fiscal year 2025–26 budget likewise passed on roll call.

The board also approved two transfers of funds within the street maintenance budget to purchase equipment from the current year’s allocations. One transfer will fund the purchase of a riding lawn mower; a second transfer will fund the purchase of an asphalt hot box intended for pothole repair. Motions authorizing the purchases were moved and seconded and approved by voice vote.

Board members thanked department heads and staff for their work on the budget. No amounts for the transfers or purchase orders were specified in the meeting discussion.