Highland Falls holds public hearing on tentative 2024–25 budget; board signals 2% levy increase

Mayor Jim DeSalvo opened a public hearing on the village’s tentative 2024–25 budget and read revenues and appropriations line‑by‑line, saying the general fund shows total revenues of $5,537,059 and, after appropriating $550,000 from last year’s balance, total available revenues of $6,087,059. He told residents the proposed levy would stay within New York’s 2% tax cap and that the levy rate equates to $11.82 per $1,000 of assessed value.

The hearing drew questions about specific revenue and expense lines. One attendee asked what the $28,000 'rental of property' revenue represented; DeSalvo said it captures any municipal rental revenue and offered to provide an itemized breakdown from the treasurer. A resident also asked that electric vehicle charger receipts be reported separately rather than lumped into meter sales so the village can track a new revenue stream year‑over‑year.

Michael Joyce, a village resident, criticized even a cap‑level levy increase for its effect on fixed‑income households, saying, "People that are on a fixed income will not be able to absorb these tax increases that seem to be going up every year." He asked the board to consider reducing or reallocating budget lines to ease the burden. DeSalvo replied that the budget as presented represents a 2% levy increase and that the board will continue to review items and answer additional questions in the next workshop, asking citizens to email Trustee Olivia with follow‑ups.

The hearing also included questions about capital spending tied to FEMA flood projects and park maintenance lines; DeSalvo said borrowing (bond anticipation notes) and capital funds are being used for FEMA projects and that several FEMA‑related projects remain pending federal approval. After public comment and board discussion, trustees voted to close the public hearing; DeSalvo said final budget action would most likely occur at the next workshop meeting.