NEWBURGH – Thanks to some fancy financial footwork from budget consultant Charles Duffy, the City of Newburgh’s 2019 budget situation may not be as bad as first thought.
The city council, nevertheless, voted to exceed the state tax cap only if it must. State law requires municipalities to pass such legislation in order for them to exceed the property tax cap and Newburgh has done so. Councilwoman Patty Sofokles noted it is only a precaution.
“It doesn’t mean it’s going to increase taxes; it protects the residents and it protects us just in case the (state) comptroller rejects something Mr. Duffy has worked very hard on, but it’s a very big possibility that could happen and if it does we are not protecting ourselves,” Sofokles said.
Councilman and assemblyman-elect Jonathan Jacobson cast the sole ‘no’ vote saying with the reconfigured city budget proposal, there will be no need to exceed the cap.
