If the tentative budget is adopted as is, Maybrook’s 2023-24 tax rate will increase 56 cents (3.4 percent) for villagers living in the Town of Montgomery. For those living in the Town of Hamptonburgh, the rate would go up 38 cents (3.5 percent).

Mayor Dennis Leahy was not present at Monday’s village board due to his wife’s passing last week, but he sent a written statement outlining the proposed tentative budget. The village board will hold a public hearing on that budget at 7 p.m., Monday, April 10.

“This increase includes extra street paving in the village for summer 2023,” Leahy wrote, “and the addition of one full-time police officer in the village.”

Because the tentative budget carries a tax rate increase of more than two percent, the village board must pass a local law to override the state-mandated two percent cap. A public hearing on that proposed law will also be held at 7 p.m., Monday, April 10.

The 3.4 percent tentative increase means the Town of Montgomery rate will increase to $17.51 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. A home assessed at $200,000 would pay $3,502, which is an increase of $112 per year ($9.33 per month).

For Town of Hamptonburgh residents, the rate will increase to $10.53 per $1,000 of assessed valuation. A home there assessed at $200,000 would pay $2,106 annually, an increase of $76 per year ($6.33 per month).

Some years ago, Maybrook was cited by New York State Audit & Control for its low fund balance. In the years since Leahy took over as mayor, the village has worked to restore its fund balance to appropriate levels and, Leahy noted, this is the fifth straight year that no monies from the fund balance have been used to balance a new year’s budget. He added that the fund balance currently stands at $875,555.

Copies of the tentative budget are available at the Government Center or on the village’s website: www.villageofmaybrook.com.