Village presents FY 2025-26 tentative budget; board opens public hearing and schedules final vote

Village officials presented the tentative fiscal year 2025-26 budget to the Board of Trustees on Tuesday and opened the required public hearing, which the board closed after receiving comments from one resident.

"Tonight, we're very pleased to present the tentative budget for fiscal year 2025 through 2026," Village Administrator Chris Bradbury told the board. Bradbury described the document as the product of months of departmental work, public budget hearings and staff-board collaboration.

Key tentative figures explained to the board and public included a total levy of about $20 million and total village expenditures in the neighborhood of $27 million. Bradbury reported the village's total assessed value rose to about $3.65 billion, a nearly 4% increase year over year, and said the average assessed residential property in town surpassed $1 million. Under the tentative plan, the average village portion of the tax bill for a typical homestead taxpayer was estimated at $5,268, approximately $233 more than the prior year; Bradbury stressed that individual tax impacts depend on assessed value and other jurisdictional levies such as schools.

Bradbury walked trustees through budget priorities: maintain quality services, invest in infrastructure, preserve fiscal strength and keep property tax increases at or under the New York State tax cap. He highlighted recurring cost drivers including salaries and benefits (personnel and benefits represent the largest portion of expenses) and rising New York State retirement system contributions.

A public comment was given by a resident advocating updates to the village's senior citizen partial property tax exemption thresholds and income rules; the mayor and staff said they would explore the request and report back. The public hearing was opened and later closed by roll-call vote; the board will consider final adoption at its next meeting. Mayor Jason A. Klein told residents the board intends to vote on the budget at the April 22 meeting and that the tentative budget must be adopted by May 1 if no changes are made.

Bradbury also listed capital projects, grant awards and major items in the tentative plan, including continued investment in roads, equipment grant-funded purchases, and modest increases in personnel where the board authorized them. He said the tentative levy increase is within the state's tax-cap calculations and that the village remains in a strong fiscal position with a healthy fund balance and low overall debt.

The board opened the public hearing on April 8 by motion and closed it later that evening after discussion and one public comment; the trustees will meet again on April 22 to consider adoption or amendments.