POUGHKEEPSIE – Amidst the cleanup of last week’s snowstorm, the Common Council approved Mayor Rob Rolison’s 2021 budget on Thursday night. The $91 million plan was approved unanimously.
During Monday night’s meeting, Council Chair Sarah Salem thanked Rolison, City Administrator Marc Nelson, Finance Commissioner Dr. Brian Martinez, and the city employees that worked to develop the plan. Calling it “incredibly exciting,” Salem said the council had hired CMA to review the budget and is awaiting their report that can be used for future financial planning. The chair did not indicate when the report would be finalized.
The 2021 budget includes a property tax decrease, avoids layoffs, stays under the NYS tax cap, and relies on $1 million of anticipated federal relief funding. The relief package had not been completely defined by Congressional lawmakers as of Monday night. The city, unlike other major cities in the region, is still operating with a negative fund balance, attributed to fiscal mismanagement by previous administrations.
The council did make minor changes to the budget by reallocating funds in order to create a legal representation line for the council, consisting of $100,000. Rolison credited everyone involved while noting that the city’s finances are still at risk. “Our finance team and department heads worked for over six months on this budget. We all appreciate the validation of that work by the Common Council. It was the most challenging budget we have had to accomplish. Tough times are ahead but we won’t let that stop us from continuing our focus on the fiscal health of Poughkeepsie.”
