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Council to consider raising amusement‑machine permit fees, with higher charge for skill/gambling machines
Summary
Administrator Sondra Riviello introduced Ordinance 2026-2 to raise amusement‑game permit fees (currently $100 per machine); staff reported 91 machines and Council agreed to introduce a version that sets $200 generally and $300 for skill/gambling machines for a March vote.
At the Feb. 16 meeting, Administrator Sondra Riviello presented Ordinance 2026‑2, proposing to raise Kingston's amusement‑game permit fee from $100 per machine per year (established in 1995) to a higher rate to reflect the growth in amusement devices.
Riviello said the Kingston Police Department had confirmed a count of 91 machines; she said Code Enforcement Officer Robert Suchoski would confirm the final tally and that annual permit notices would require companies to list clients and machine counts by location. Councilmember John Chernesky suggested a higher fee and proposed $300 as reasonable given revenues some machines generate; Councilmember Paul Keating and others proposed distinguishing high‑revenue 'skill' or gambling-style games from lower-revenue amusements such as jukeboxes or pool tables.
Attorney Harry Mattern said an ordinance could be drafted to include distinct fee tiers. Council agreed to introduce a version that sets a $200 fee generally and a $300 fee for skill/gambling machines and to review the final language at the March 7 voting meeting.
No vote was taken on Feb. 16; staff will confirm the machine count and present the ordinance for action in March.
