Depew adopts 2025–26 budget with small tax increase; board approves permits, appointments and demolition hearings

The Village of Depew Board of Trustees adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget at its regular meeting on April 28, 2025, setting a tax rate of 9.837525 per $1,000 for properties in the Cheektowaga portion of the village and 10.930584 per $1,000 for properties in the Lancaster portion. The board also approved a package of routine permits, appointments, a junior firefighter membership and authorization to advertise public hearings for three demolition sites.

The budget passed on a roll-call vote with trustees voting in favor. Mayor Kevin Peterson said the board “put in a lot of session hours” and that “we think that this budget is appropriate for the village.” Trustee Janelle Zee, who said this is the fifth budget she has worked on, declined to cut services: “I’m not willing to cut staff or services to the residents.”

Why it matters: Trustees said the adopted levy reflects increases driven by higher insurance costs, contract wage increases (2.5–3% cited), higher garbage-pricing and larger retirement-contribution obligations. The…