BOT Passes Budget Under Tax Cap

By Cindy Goldstein -

At the April 27^th Board of Trustees (BOT) meeting the 2026-2027 budget passed with a vote of 4:1.  Trustee DeRose was the lone “no” vote.  After the meeting Trustee DeRose said that in this tough budget year she voted not to approve the budget citing some of the non-union salary increases.

After having exceeded the NYS tax cap last year partially due to correcting prior budget mismanagement (see HERE) efforts were made to stay under the tax cap for fiscal year 2026-2027. 

With a 2.79% annual tax increase the BOT just squeaked by under the tax cap by approximately $911.  The BOT, along with the volunteer Budget Committee, held multiple public hearings going over the revenue and expenses resulting in various adjustments (see HERE).  As in prior years mandated NYS increases, and anticipated union costs total more than $900,000.