The Shawangunk Town Board adopted its 2027 budget Nov. 5, approving an $11.58 million spending plan that includes double-digit tax rate increases in both the general and highway funds.

The budget calls for a 15.04% increase in the general fund tax rate and a 13.77% increase in the highway fund tax rate.

The final budget totals $11,575,864 in appropriations. Supervisor Ken Ronk Jr. noted that the figure does not include fire districts or library districts, which establish their own budgets.

Major appropriations include $4,404,291 for the general fund, $4,075,522 for the highway fund, $349,499 for the water fund, $1,744,165 for the sewer fund, $225,000 for the Wallkill Ambulance District, $120,000 for the Pine Bush Ambulance District and $581,360 for the Walker Valley Fire Protection District.

The general fund tax rate will be $11.419 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, while the highway fund rate will be $17.276 per $1,000.

For a property assessed at $350,000, the general fund levy would total $399.67, an increase of $52.15 from last year. The highway fund levy would total $604.45, up $51.10.

Among the salaries included in the budget are $39,486 for the supervisor, $14,166 for each Town Board member, $58,998 for the town clerk, $17,231 for each town justice and $61,962 for the highway superintendent. All received modest increases.

As in previous years, rising operating costs presented challenges during the budget process. The largest cost increases in the general fund involved personnel, retirement expenses and additional funding for parks. In the highway fund, personnel and retirement costs, along with higher salt prices, were the primary factors.

Ronk praised the work of the Town Board and department heads in developing the spending plan. He acknowledged the tax rate increases but said Shawangunk’s rates remain lower than those in many surrounding towns, including some with greater non-tax revenue.

“This budget was challenging, but the Town Board handled it in stride, balancing the needs of the residents and the desire to keep spending in line,” Ronk said Nov. 9. “The 2027 Town of Shawangunk budget continues our historic investment in our parks and our roads, emphasizes our commitment to our employees, and satisfies state mandates. It is a budget we can all feel proud of.”