Mamaroneck presents $169 million budget preview, proposes $20 million capital reserve; levy would rise $7.05 million

Sylvia Wilde, who presented the revenue side of the proposed 2025–26 budget, told the Mamaroneck Board that the district is proposing a $169,000,000 total budget with a tax levy of $148,500,000 — a $7,050,006 (4.98%) increase from the prior year. "The projected tax rate, based on this calculation is 12.44 per thousand," Wilde said, adding that the calculation uses current 2024 assessment levels and could shift slightly when the town sets the rate in August.

Wilde said the projected increase in salaries and benefits is driven by budgeted additional positions and collective‑bargaining obligations and that property taxes still account for the bulk of revenue: "property taxes . . . comprise 87.8% of the budget." She told the board the district is expecting higher miscellaneous revenues — notably a FEMA settlement related to Hurricane Ida — which she characterized as one‑time income: "we expect to receive before this school year is finished a significant payment" that will be recognized in the general fund after capital costs are covered.

Superintendent Meister, who introduced the budget presentation, said the administration will present the expenditure side at a later meeting and promised detailed justifications for staffing increases. He said the district will hold further budget presentations and public opportunities to ask questions as the process continues.

Wilde outlined other revenue sources that helped narrow the levy pressure: increased sales tax receipts (including internet sales and gaming taxes), higher interest earnings on reserves and modest rental income such as pool rentals. She said the district projects $20,600,000 in revenues aside from property taxes, producing the proposed levy of $148,500,000.

On capital planning, Wilde said the district will ask voters to approve a capital reserve that would allow the district to set aside up to $20,000,000 over 15 years. "We are putting a proposition on the ballot we're hoping we'll pass to really set the school district up for future improvements," she said, describing permitted uses that include playground replacements, auditorium and media center improvements, turf at Manchester Field and other infrastructure needs. Any spending from the reserve would require separate voter approval.

Wilde also flagged recurring costs the board is budgeting for: health insurance for members of the teacher‑aide unit, which would be offered beginning Sept. 1, 2025 if an MOA is ratified and the board approves. The budget includes an estimate of approximately $2,000,000 to cover participation and waiver payments; Wilde characterized the figure as an estimate that depends on employee participation.

Board members pressed for detail on several items: how Medicaid‑related reimbursements for special‑education services are calculated (Wilde said refunds are applied based on services provided and hourly rates), the timing and unpredictability of federal reimbursements and BOCES refunds, and the district's assumptions about interest earnings and borrowing for capital projects. Wilde said many capital projects are pending approval by the New York State Education Department and that borrowing assumptions will affect the capital tax levy calculations.

Wilde cautioned that the district's proposed tax levy exceeds the state tax‑cap allowance for the current calculation: "The proposed tax levy is more than that . . . which will require 60% or more than 60% approval by the voters to pass," she said, explaining that the levy exceeds the allowable increase under the tax cap calculation and so the district will rely on voter approval to adopt the levy as proposed.

A parent during public comment asked whether teacher aides could afford the insurance and whether they might instead be eligible for Medicaid. Wilde said costs depend on participation and that the coverage was calculated using affordability rules under the Affordable Care Act; she did not answer Medicaid‑eligibility questions. Wilde also confirmed that district rental fees for facilities such as the Hammocks pool increase annually with the tax levy and include custodial charges when staff must be called in.

Next steps: the board will present the expenditure side of the budget at the March 18 meeting and continue detailed discussions about staffing, capital borrowing and voter communications ahead of the May budget vote.