Mayor Trent laid out the budget that is about to be adopted by the village board. This budget has been submitted to the State Comptroller’s office. The numbers are slightly different from the tentative budget that was proposed at the end of March.

The general fund is set at $5,435,186, of which $3,634,740 is to be raised by taxes. The new tax levy represents a 7% tax increase.

The tax levy applicable to the New York State tax limit for the village is below that $3.6 million figure, at $3,519,564.

Total assessment of the village is calculated as $151,603,822. The tax rate per $1,000 value is $23.97, an increase from 2024/2025’s $21.72.

Total revenue and taxes are now $5,435,186. Non-property tax revenue has increased from the tentative budget figure to $1,800,446. Another change from the tentative budget is in the police budget. Village police are now listed at $1,197,000, an $18,000 reduction from the earlier number. Total for employee benefits has risen to $1,429,200 from the $1,389,200 that was listed earlier.

As Mayor Trent had said, the last few weeks have allowed for more solid data to be assembled and to firm up the budget numbers. The village continues to walk a fine line, just staying in the black and operating with a bare bones staff.

There are a number of voices wondering if the village should simply dissolve and fold itself into the Town of Wawarsing. This came up at the last budget meeting as well.

There are also those who point out that this won’t be as easy as it might sound. Part of the problem is that the village has to pay off $913,402 in debt this year – just a slight decline from last year’s $914,858.

That heavy debt burden of almost a million dollars will not be taken on by the town and would remain with the village taxpayers. Evan Trent has maintained that the village can survive. Assessments should rise, bringing in more money.

The State Comptroller’s Office has accepted the budget. On Thursday, at 5 p.m., after publication of this article, there will be a final meeting in the village hall in which the village board is expected to vote to adopt the budget.