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Town of Clifton adopts 2026 budget projecting 4.5% tax-rate drop
Summary
The Town of Clifton Board approved the 2026 annual budget, a preliminary plan that projects a 4.5% drop in the tax rate and references use of up to $5 million from the fund balance; one public commenter urged saving the fund balance to cover SNAP and childcare needs.
The Town of Clifton Town Board unanimously approved its 2026 annual budget at the Nov. 12 meeting, a plan the board’s minutes say projects a 4.5% drop in the tax rate versus 2025.
Council Member William Griffin moved to accept the budget and Council Member Mary Zuhlsdorf seconded; the motion carried Ayes = 4, Noes = 0. The board’s paperwork notes that, under the preliminary figures, taxes on a $100,000 home would be about $32 lower in 2026 than in 2025. The budget document presented to the board also included a proposal to use $5 million of the town’s fund balance.
During public comment, L. Denesha said he was not in favor of using the fund balance, arguing it should be preserved to meet possible needs tied to SNAP and childcare. According to the figures cited by Denesha, "at the end of September 2025 in St. Lawrence County, SNAP households totaled 7,395, total persons 12,381 and total SNAP benefit were $2,279,513." The board did not amend the adopted budget at the meeting.
The board’s action followed routine approvals of minutes and departmental reports and brings the town’s budget process to the formal adoption stage. The next regular meeting is Dec. 10, 2025, when the board could revisit fund-balance policy or take follow-up steps requested by members or the public.
