Trustees adopt proposed local law and approve FY2026 budget package that exceeds NY tax cap

The Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees closed public hearings and voted to adopt Proposed Local Law I of 2025, authorizing a 2025–26 budget that exceeds the tax cap set by New York’s GML §3-c.

Village Manager (unnamed) told the board the budget exceeded the cap largely because of increased retirement and health insurance costs and an estimated 2024–25 capital debt-service obligation of about $960,000. ‘‘Those two together really were the cap,’’ the manager said, explaining that staff had cut positions and instituted a hiring freeze but still faced a budget above the limit.

Trustees thanked staff for extensive cost reviews; one trustee said staff “went above and beyond” to reduce the increase. After discussion, the board approved a package of resolutions to adopt the tentative FY2026 budget, set the tax warrants for village and library levies, and authorize related budget actions. The board also authorized placing certain Westchester Joint Water Works arrears on property tax bills as provided in the resolutions.

Finance staff (Lauren) outlined minor adjustments included in the adopted budget: restoring a $2,500 line for the vital statistics registrar, increasing manager contract services to fund grant-writing support, adding a fire‑department training officer and records-management officer, and increasing legal fees by $25,000. Lauren also said the board removed a proposed $50,000 boat‑storage revenue item, reducing anticipated revenue accordingly.

The board conducted the actions by motion and voice votes; the chair recorded the aye votes and the motions carried. No additional appropriation amounts beyond those discussed were approved outside the advertised resolutions.

The adoption clears the village to proceed under the adopted FY2026 budget. The board also directed staff to provide details on specific budget line items and follow up on the revenue adjustments at a subsequent meeting.