Cheektowaga's preliminary 2026 budget shows modest levy rise; board tables adoption after heated public hearing

A town finance official presented the Town of Cheektowaga's preliminary 2026 budget at a Nov. 6 public hearing, saying planned appropriations total about $113,594,076 and that the proposed tax levy would rise by $1,898,206 (about 2.58%). The presentation described $23.8 million in other budgeted revenues and a planned use of fund balance in the mid-millions to balance spending.

The presentation, which noted major costs for public safety (police and code enforcement) and highway/lighting, said union wage increases were budgeted at 3.25% and highlighted new or growing revenues including adult-use cannabis tax receipts and a potential hotel/bed tax that the board is considering enacting locally. The presenter emphasized large line items for fringe benefits and medical costs, and described $500,000-plus increases in highway equipment and other capital needs.

Why it matters: the levy increase would affect the town's property taxpayers and follows a multi-year conversation about using reserves and phasing tax changes. Multiple residents told the board they oppose cuts to recreation, arts and donations to social-service providers; board members responded that the budget is a plan that can be amended before final adoption.

At the hearing the clerk read two formal resolutions that would adopt the town's ad valorem and benefit-basis preliminary budgets for 2026 with line-item totals as printed in the record. Board members moved and seconded a motion to table those resolutions to the next regularly scheduled meeting (recorded in the minutes as Nov. 12) so they could review public comment and consider revisions. The board left the public hearing open pending further action.

Numbers and record notes: during the presentation the speaker cited a planned spend of $113,594,076, other revenues of roughly $23,800,000, and referenced an appropriated fund-balance figure discussed around $14.2 million. The presentation repeatedly described a $1,898,206 dollar increase (2.58%). The resolution texts read into the record contain alternative line totals (for example, ad valorem appropriations and a total tax levy listed in the printed resolution language) that are inconsistent with some presentation figures in the spoken record; the transcript contains those multiple figures and the board said it would reconcile them before final action.

Next steps: the resolutions were tabled to the board's next meeting and the public hearing was left open. Board members said they will review the budget detail posted in the budget prep report on the town website and consider targeted changes, possible use of reserves and revenue assumptions (including the timing and collection of a hotel/bed tax) before final adoption.

Quote: "We have to be smarter about how we're gonna approach this," Councilman Polarsky said, arguing for a phased approach to avoid sudden large increases. "We're literally backed into a corner," he said about legal timelines tied to the tax cap and public hearing requirements.

Administration note: the clerk read written submissions from residents and organizations into the public record; the board confirmed that detailed line items are posted in the town's 2026 preliminary budget and the budget prep report on the town website.