Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Budget topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Port Jervis mayor presents 2026 budget with 0% tax levy; public hearing set for Nov. 24
Summary
The Port Jervis Common Council reviewed a proposed 2026 budget that keeps the tax levy unchanged, uses $215,000 of fund balance, and avoids water and sewer rate hikes; the council set a public hearing for Nov. 24 to accept comment.
Mayor (unnamed) opened the council meeting on Nov. 10 by presenting the proposed 2026 city budget and announcing it carries a 0% tax levy increase. “This budget has a 0% tax levy increase,” the mayor said, adding the figure was achieved after cutting department requests and by using limited one-time fund balance.
The mayor told the council the administration lost more than $6,000,000 in assessed value tied to an Orange & Rockland substation settlement, a major factor in budget planning. “We lost ... over $6,000,000 in assessed value,” he said. To avoid passing a large tax increase to residents and businesses, the budget applies $215,000 of the city’s fund balance as a temporary measure. “We will be applying $215,000 of fund balance to this budget,” he said, and added the city expects to replenish the balance within one to two years.
The presentation said the proposal includes no increases to water and sewer rates. It also earmarks funds for a new city website to meet forthcoming federal standards, vehicle replacements for aging city fleet vehicles, and funding for a nineteenth police officer position. The mayor credited City Clerk-Treasurer Stacy Hoskin, accounting lead Bobbie Jo Mueller, and City Attorney Wolfrey for their roles in preparing the proposal.
Council moved to set a public hearing on the 2026 budget for Nov. 24 at 6:31 p.m.; the motion carried by voice vote. Finance Chairwoman Misty Fuller noted the council will hold a finance meeting and a budget workshop on Nov. 19 at 6 p.m. to review the mayor’s presentation in greater detail.
What happens next: the public hearing will allow residents to comment on the proposed budget before final adoption; the finance committee will continue its review at the Nov. 19 workshop.
