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Maybrook board adopts tentative 2026–27 budget proposing $400,000 tax-levy increase
Summary
The Village of Maybrook Board of Trustees authorized a tentative 2026–27 budget that raises the tax levy $400,000, increasing representative local tax bills by roughly 17–19% in the examples presented; trustees and the mayor cited rising police, benefits and utility costs as drivers.
The Village of Maybrook Board of Trustees on April 20 authorized the village’s tentative 2026–27 budget, which includes a $400,000 increase in the tax levy from $2,222,401 to $2,622,401.
Mayor Dennis Leahy told residents the tentative budget, posted March 20, explains the numbers and reasons in greater detail and that “the tentative budget does reflect a significant increase” driven by rising costs. The mayor presented example impacts showing tax-rate increases that produce annual rises in typical homeowner bills of roughly $276 (for a $79,800 assessment) to $409 (for a $125,000 assessment) in the Montgomery-area comparisons he provided.
The board and mayor attributed most of the levy rise to specific operational increases. Leahy listed roughly $345,000 in new or higher costs, including liability insurance, police operations and retirement, health insurance and a $6,000-per-month increase in Central Hudson utility bills. The mayor said those items, plus contractual salary obligations and expanded police coverage, explain the majority of the increase.
Leahy also addressed the village’s fund balance. He reported a fund balance of $784,941 and noted that, at the projected general fund size, the village exceeds the New York State Comptroller’s 25% guidance by about $129,341. He stated the board will not use fund balance to reduce taxes now because doing so “would effectively shift financial burdens into the future” while leaving long‑neglected infrastructure needs unfunded.
The Board voted to authorize the budget as presented and scheduled a special meeting on April 27, 2026 at 7:00 p.m. for continued consideration. Vote on the authorization was recorded in the meeting minutes as 5 Ayes, 0 Nays.
Why it matters: Trustees said the village needs to protect essential services while pursuing long‑term economic development—most notably the Galaxy Business Park project—intended to expand the tax base and reduce pressure on homeowners over time.
