Peekskill City Council Passes $35.9 Million Budget for 2012

The Peekskill City Council passed a $35.9 million budget for 2012 during the Nov. 28 Common Council meeting. Mayor Mary Foster was absent due to business, but sent a statement in support of the budget.

Council members Drew Claxton, Patricia Riley, Marybeth McGowan and Don Bennett voted in favor of the resolution to pass the budget. Councilman Andrew Torres opposed the resolution, but did not state his reason why, and Councilman Joe Schuder was absent.

The budget raises the tax levy by 2.4 percent, which is $223.17 per one thousand dollars of assessed valuation upon all taxable property in Peekskill. For more details on the budget and what it means for you,

“The tax levy increase of 2.45 percent is less than half of the increase that was allowed under the new tax cap legislation adopted this year by New York State,” Mayor Foster’s statement said.

“The common council and staff have worked hard to reduce the tax levy increase proposed in the original proposed budget and cut that increase by 30 percent. This budget for 2012 will allow city to cover the cost of essential services to our residents and continue to drive economic development and job creation in Peekskill.”

The Mayor also wrote that staff and the council will continue to monitor spending and control cost.

“We do need to plan for the future and some of the positions that we are looking to put in…(human resources and engineer at DPW), I think creates a healthier foundation to go through cost cutting procedures as we move forward,” said Councilwoman Marybeth McGowan.

The council held a public hearing on the budget on Nov. 20, at which only t Two were opposed to certain aspects of the budget and one was generally in favor.