KINGSTON – The 2024 Kingston city budget as proposed by Mayor Steven Noble is up four percent over this year’s.
The spending plan, which he unveiled on Wednesday, comes in a $52 million, up about $2 million over the 2023 budget, but remains under the state tax cap for the ninth year in a row, said the mayor.
“In 2023 we were actually able to reduce the tax levy, which is the first time in quite some time. One of the things that we are going to see this year is that the tax levy is going to go the other way. We are going to see a tax levy increase of just over $300,000, which out of a $52 million budget isn’t bad,” he said.
The residential tax rate would increase by 17-cents per thousand dollars of assessed value while the non-homestead rate would increase by 18-cents per thousand dollars.
The mayor said the budget includes infrastructure upgrades investing in the future including major improvements to Henry Street, a major facelift of Deitz Stadium, and ADA compliance of curb ramps and sidewalks.
It also includes four hybrid police SUVs, DPW equipment, funds for a “fair” CSEA employee contract and a program to recruit and retain police personnel.
Housing initiatives will continue with financial support from ARPA funds as well, Noble said.
