By George McHugh
Coeymans Town Supervisor
As the town’s chief fiscal officer, it is my honor and privilege to present the 2024 proposed annual tentative budget for the town of Coeymans.
This budget as proposed is balanced, protects taxpayers, and provides for vital services to our residents such as public safety, emergency management services, quality of life initiatives, park improvements, and contingency planning.
Best of all, this budget reflects a 0% tax increase from 2023.
The town board and I pride ourselves in maintaining a strong, fiscally conservative approach to spending, revenue anticipation, and daily monitoring of the budget. As a result, the town tax rate today is the lowest it has been in 25 years and 19% less than in 2019, prior to me taking office. We also have healthy fund balances in every account, with our fund balance reserves totaling $4,663,358, which is 68% higher than in 2019.
The 2024 budget as presented provides the necessary services Coeymans residents need and deserve. While so many of our neighboring municipalities are experiencing fiscal stress and increasing taxes beyond the state tax cap, Coeymans taxes remain at a record low, and our town tax rate at only $2.77/thousand is the same in 2024 as it was in 2023. Services continue to increase, while taxes remain the same.
Public safety has been and will continue to be the highest priority of this administration. As we continue to invest in and build a strong and cohesive police department, the town board and the Ravena Rescue Squad are making great progress on establishing a townwide Ambulance District. Additionally, for 2024, we have provided a 20% increase to our Rescue Squad and a 25% increase to our Senior Projects to continue their much-needed Meals on Wheels program, all while holding the line on taxes for the Coeymans taxpayers.
As large capital improvement projects come to fruition this year and next, such as the new bathroom construction projects currently ongoing in both the Coeymans Landing Park and Joralemon Park, as well as broadband infrastructure expansion along Lindskoog Road and the surrounding area, taxpayers can rest easy knowing that these capital projects will be funded using revenue streams such as the American Rescue Plan funds, Host Community Agreement funds, and unappropriated fund balances – not on the backs of the Coeymans taxpayers!
I want to thank my department heads, town employees, elected and appointed officials, for their diligence and support all year long, and for their assistance in administering the town budget. Leading a town, especially today, takes a team effort, and I am grateful for the team we have in Coeymans.
I would also like to take this opportunity to say “thank you” to all Coeymans residents for your patience, trust and commitment to this administration, and for sharing our goal of continuing to make Coeymans a great place to live, work and raise a family.
George D. McHugh
Town Supervisor
