Last week the Plattekill Town Board approved their 2025 budget. Initially, the board was projecting a 16.70 percent increase but it was pared back to an overall 7.58 percent increase. Supervisor Dean DePew said his board adopted the final budget with this percent increase, “and moved forward and there were no questions or anything about it [at the meeting].” DePew noted that the Plattekill Fire Department did lower their budget and the Town Board’s final budget was the same as the previous published budget. He said residents final tax bills will differ depending on what fire district they live in.

DePew highlighted key provisions in the 2025 budget, pointing out that the total amount to run the town next year is $7,208,031, with revenues coming in at $1,844,158. They are tapping $300,000 in un-expended funds for the General and $187,000 for the Highway, ultimately leaving $4,876,873 to be raised in taxes.

DePew said many things are driving up town budgets across the state.
“Every year this comes out, they keep the tax cap on and there is talk about removing the cap but I don’t know what that looks like only because things have gone up so high all around and you basically can’t stay within that [cap],” he said. “I don’t know anybody that goes anyplace and doesn’t complain about the increase in prices everywhere; it’s just crazy everyplace you go.”

DePew said Plattekill does not have a revenue stream from water and sewer like many other towns have; “We have nothing. We don’t have a portion of the town or a small fraction and just don’t have that revenue stream. For many communities that have that, it does not seem like a lot, but it sure as heck helps.”

DePew said in the past there have been discussions about installing infrastructure, “but the thought is where do you put it, where does that work and how do you justify putting it in for about 25 property owners when there are areas that really need it for pre-existing, non-conforming conditions.” He said, “when you start looking at the different communities, the different geographics of altitude, the valleys, the swamps, the woods, the rock; it is so diverse. But we’re always looking at opportunities to see what best fits, but at the end of the day the cost is a huge deterrent.” He said securing grants for this kind of infrastructure, “has become so competitive with so many people trying to get them and they’re so limited to what they can spend them on.” He said many not only require towns to pay for a significant share of the amount but it could take up to four years to obtain.