POUGHKEEPSIE – It is now a standard precautionary procedure for many municipal governing bodies, and it has now been done in Poughkeepsie. The Common Council voted to give itself some budgetary breathing if they cannot bring a budget in under next year’s state tax cap of 0.76 percent.
The lone Republican on the council, Lee Klein, protested, saying “it’s time to be honest about what’s going on in the city,” something he said they are not doing.
“We maintain elements of our government that we can no longer afford, and we continue to pretend that this is okay,” Klein said. “And we continue to kick the can down the road because we want to, we have members here, our constituencies that they cater to. That can no longer be done.”
Other council members, including Chairman Christopher Petsas, argued they are dealing with a mayor’s budget proposal that would hike taxes around five percent, well over the cap for the city.
“If this council does not authorize us having the ability to go over that .76 percent, then we are going to be looking at massive cuts to the city of Poughkeepsie,” Petsas warned. “You’re going to be looking at more police officers, more sanitation, more firefighters. Somebody’s going to be cut because you’re not going to be able to raise the money through taxes.”
Petsas said he would much rather pay another $50 or $60 a year to keep essential services intact.
Corporation Counsel Paul Ackerman reminded the council that approving the measure only gives the council the authority to exceed the cap. It does not mean they are locked into doing that.
The resolution passed with only Klein dissenting.
