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Kingston Mayor Steven Noble has signed off on the city's 2025 budget, which totals nearly $60 million. The budget, approved by city lawmakers with a 7-1 vote on Tuesday (December 3), represents an increase of over $7.6 million from last year's spending plan. It includes no layoffs and allocates funds for equipment to maintain the city's infrastructure.
However, the budget introduces a tax rate increase of 8.9%, marking the first time in nine years that taxes have been raised above the tax cap. According to Mid Hudson News, the tax hike was necessary to address slowed sales tax revenue and unexpected economic measures. Council Majority Leader Reynolds Scott-Childress explained that without the increase, the city would have faced cuts to services and staff.
The budget also excludes a previously proposed $2,500 raise for the mayor, which was removed in a special session. The full budget details are available on the city's website.