City HallSaturday, November 7
Schenectady passes its budget with a 14% tax increase and a $6.5 million bet on state aid
The Today in Schenectady team
If you pay city property taxes, the 2027 increase is smaller than first proposed. The Schenectady City Council passed the budget Thursday night with a 14% levy increase, down from 43%. Five members voted yes. John Mootooveren voted no, believing casino revenue could be inflated.
The adopted levy increase is far below the mayor's first proposal
Sources: WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WRGB
View as table
| Value | |
|---|---|
| Mayor's first plan | 43% |
| Failed Nov. 2 vote | 15% |
| Adopted budget | 14% |
| Holdouts' target | 13% |
Monday's 4-3 vote fell short of the five needed to override the state tax cap. Thursday's deal raises the sales tax revenue the city expects, without raising the rate. Councilmember Hayden Engert said, "I'm crossing my fingers that we hit it."
- State aid the budget counts on: $6.5 million, not yet secured
- Spending cut: $1.7 million from overtime, vacant positions and stipends
- Budget gap the council worked to close: about $15 million
- Cash flow risk, McCarthy warned: April, May and June
The budget cleared the council four days after the charter deadline
- Nov. 1Charter deadline to pass a budget "on or before" this date.
- Nov. 2Council's 4-3 vote falls short of the five needed to override the tax cap.
- Nov. 5Council passes the budget with a 14% levy increase, five votes to one.
- Spring '27McCarthy warns of cash flow challenges while the city waits on state funding.
Sources: WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WNYT.com, WRGB
Mayor Gary McCarthy plans to keep pressing the city's state delegation for aid. State Sen. Pat Fahy confirmed she spoke with him Monday but wouldn't say whether $6.5 million is a realistic request.
Sources: WAMC Northeast Public Radio, WNYT.com, Times Union, WRGB