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Town supervisor touts lowest tax rate in decades and proposes occupancy, transfer taxes
Summary
At the Town of Clinton reorganization meeting, the supervisor reported the property tax rate fell to its lowest level since 2011 (and lowest since 1973 aside from 2010–11), announced park upgrades and a bond-funded highway truck purchase, and said the town is considering an occupancy tax and a transfer tax to raise non‑property-tax revenue.
The Town of Clinton’s supervisor opened the Jan. 7 reorganization meeting by reporting the town’s property tax rate declined again and is the lowest it has been since 2010–2011, and—aside from those two years—its lowest since 1973. The supervisor cited continued local efforts to keep the tax burden down while maintaining services.
He said the recreation department secured grant funding to build a pickleball court at Friends Park and that new playground equipment will be installed there. He also highlighted the continuing hometown heroes banner program honoring veterans along Center Road in Schulzville and Salt Point and Turnpike in Clinton Corners.
On town equipment, the supervisor said the town secured a bond to purchase two new highway trucks and that Dutchess County will cover plowing on county roads, which he said allows the town to upgrade equipment without increasing local taxpayers’ burdens.
Looking ahead to 2026, the supervisor presented two preliminary revenue options the board is exploring to raise funds without raising property taxes: an occupancy tax to be paid by overnight visitors and a transfer tax on the purchase of homes. He introduced these measures as initial steps rather than adopted policy and did not present ordinance language or a revenue estimate during the meeting.
The supervisor also recognized long‑time town employee Colleen McGarry, who was appointed in 1996 and is retiring after nearly 30 years of service; an email from George Brands praising her work as a court clerk was read into the record.
The board did not vote on the occupancy or transfer tax proposals at the meeting; the supervisor described them as steps the town is "exploring" for 2026.
