KINGSTON – In a unanimous
vote, the Kingston Common Council Tuesday night adopted Mayor Steven Noble’s
proposed budget for 2019.
The tax levy remains at the 2016 level with no increase. Tax rates will
continue to go down for the third consecutive year. Homestead taxes will
drop from $9.94 to $9.74 and non-homestead taxes will decline from $17.39
to $15.59.
Over $772,281 has been placed in contingency in preparation for potential
union contract settlements and non-recurring expenses.
The new spending plan includes some $1 million for street paving; full
funding of the Kingston Land Bank in 2019 with a two-year combined investment
of over $3 million into quality, affordable housing; and $100,000 in capital
improvements to city parks.
Also in the budget are funds to purchase supplemental turn-out gear for
every firefighter in the department.
The budget includes two minor modifications including a shift of funding
from the mayor’s office to contingency, based on the mayor’s
recommendation, and an internal transfer in the Kingston Police Department
budget for training to overtime allotment.
