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Cheektowaga board narrowly adopts preliminary 2026 budget amendments after debate over mortgage tax and tax cap
Summary
The Town of Cheektowaga board approved modifications to the 2026 preliminary budget by a 5–2 roll call vote after extended public comment and council debate over revenue forecasts—particularly mortgage tax projections—and whether to hold a separate hearing on exceeding the tax levy cap.
The Town Board of Cheektowaga on Tuesday approved modifications to the 2026 preliminary budget following public comment and hours of discussion about revenue assumptions and policy trade-offs. The board passed resolution 2025‑749 on a roll call vote of 5–2.
Supervisor Adam Nowak and council members debated how realistic mortgage‑tax forecasts and other revenue assumptions were when balancing proposed spending. Opponents warned that the budget relied on “fuzzy numbers”; supporters said targeted cuts and additional minor revenue adjustments would keep the levy under planned levels. Council member Brian Pularski voted no on the budget modification; five members voted yes, producing a 5–2 result.
Public commenters urged caution. Sandy Bruce Black told the board she had watched prior budget hearings and said some revenue projections were inflated — naming a proposed hotel (bed) tax projection she described as overstated by roughly $500,000 — and warned of cuts to Meals on Wheels, overtime, infrastructure and program travel. Gary Bork urged the board to hold a separate hearing about exceeding the tax cap so residents could weigh in.
Board members cited specific numbers during the discussion. Supervisor Nowak said the tentative forecast had originally listed mortgage tax receipts at $1.3 million and he adjusted the line to $1.35 million; others noted alternative forecasts (one projection cited by a member suggested a higher mortgage tax figure). Members also discussed the county’s treatment of mortgage‑tax holdings and cautioned that county budget decisions may alter local receipts.
The board set a public hearing for the overall preliminary budget on Nov. 6 at 6 p.m., where residents may comment further. Several members reiterated that additional work remains on line‑by‑line review and that adoption of a final budget will follow standard public‑hearing procedures.
The meeting also included separate votes on other items (see related articles). The board adjourned after routine announcements. The preliminary budget modification passed but remains subject to the town’s public‑hearing and adoption schedule.
