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 board said it reduced reliance on fund balance from about $990,000 in the previous year to $590,000 in this budget as a precaution ahead of multiple major contracts renewing next year.

Details and votes - Budget adoption: The board adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget (tax rates above) by roll-call vote. Trustees recorded as voting yes in the roll calls recorded during the meeting were Trustee Morawski, Trustee Zimba, Trustee Kraft, Deputy Mayor Adolph and Mayor Kevin Peterson.

- Demolition hearings: The board authorized the Village Administrator to advertise public hearings for proposed demolitions at 29 South Warsaw Street, 72 South Bellevue Avenue and 163 Kiefer Avenue. The hearings were scheduled for May 12, 2025, at 7 p.m. in Council Chambers; the motion carried.

- Appointments: Mayor Kevin Peterson appointed Laura Bicke as full‑time village hall cleaner effective April 29, 2025, pursuant to the village law citation read into the record; the board approved by roll call. The board also appointed Sam Radka as part‑time recreation department laborer effective May 9, 2025; that motion carried on roll call.

- Public events and permits: The board approved the Depew Lancaster Boys & Girls Club 10K (to be held July 4, 2025), granted Central Host Company No. 4 permission to use the pavilion at the Northside Fire Station on June 21, 2025, and granted the Depew Joint Veterans Committee permission to hold the annual Memorial Day parade and services on May 26, 2025. Those motions carried.

- Junior Firefighter membership: Membership for Preston Parrish Jr. in the Hook & Ladder Company junior firefighter program was approved pending passage of a physical; that motion carried on roll call.

- Claims and accounts: The board approved audited claims as presented: general fund $208,888.49; sewer fund $8.59; capital projects $2,758.50; total $237,505.99. The motion carried.

Other items discussed - Budget drivers and process: Trustees and the mayor said they held four dedicated budget sessions, some lasting four hours or more, and reviewed line items for reductions. They noted insurance increases and union contract wage adjustments as primary cost pressures.

- Public comment: Resident Paul Sprott spoke during public comment opposing longevity pay in union contracts and urged its elimination; trustees and staff responded that longevity is part of current contracts and would have to be addressed in upcoming collective bargaining.

- Department reports and schedule notes: The Department of Public Works described a tentative milling and paving schedule starting the week of May 19 with paving to begin in June and listed specific streets planned for the first phase. Recreation and fire department leaders outlined upcoming events (Memorial Day, concerts, Founders Day) and field improvements; the fire department reported 14 calls since the last meeting and growth in the junior firefighter program back up to nine members.

What's next: Demolition public hearings are scheduled for May 12, 2025. The budget is adopted and will be implemented according to the fiscal-year schedule in the adopted resolution.