Common Council passes budget with 2.5% tax increase
Port Jervis. Meeting attendees also heard updates on engineering fees, polar plunge, Youth Center access, grant wins, and more.
| 17 Dec 2024 | 02:03
Councilwoman Misty Fuller makes a motion to adopt the 2025 budget. (
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The 2025 budget for the city of Port Jervis has been approved. Councilwoman Misty Fuller of the second ward made a motion to adopt the budget at the December 9 Common Council meeting. With a modest tax increase of 2.5%, the motion was passed unanimously.
Local Law #9 for 2024 was also unanimously passed. The law updates the fee schedule for the engineering fees paid to the building department. A change was required as the engineers would frequently have to ask for more money than originally charged. The new fees will be calculated at 1% of construction costs or at a $2,000 minimum.
The winter break hours for the Youth Center Recreational Room were announced by Councilman Colin O’Connell of the first ward. The hours will be from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. on December 23, 26, 27, 30, and 31. Other youth news comes from the Juvenile Aid Bureau of the Port Jervis Police Department. The bureau received an $8,000 grant from Orange County.
Councilwoman Jacqueline Dennison of the fourth ward reported on the Water Quality Improvement Project. A grant was received from the New York State Department of Environmental Conservation to make improvements to protect the city water supply.
Tim Simmons of the Port Jervis Fire Department shared information regarding registration for the 6th Annual Port Polar Plunge. Anyone interested in registering online may go to the website runsignup.com. The registration fee is $25, but runsignup.com will charge a $2.70 fee for using the service. January 10 is the last day for online registration. Registration can be completed on plunge day, January 11, for $30. Simmons also expressed appreciation for the many local sponsors of the event by reading an extensive list of supporters.
Mayor Dominic Cicalese made mention of the Rotary Club’s upcoming blood drive. It will be held at the VFW Hall on January 22 from 1 to 5:30 p.m. He congratulated the Port Jervis High School football team for winning the Class B championship.
On a sad note, the mayor called for a moment of silence to be observed for long-time resident and community supporter Vincent Livingston who passed away November 25.