Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Newburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
14 issues in taxes budget with high priority
2027 City Budget
Residents weighed in on the proposed 2027 budget: road repair money, cuts to senior programs, under-budgeted overtime, and whether property taxes can stay flat. The budget vote is expected at the end of November.
Tax Certiorari Consent Judgments on Downtown Properties
Eleven settlements with downtown property owners resolve assessment challenges, capping the city's tax refund exposure on those parcels.
Property tax levy above the tax cap
The city is scheduling the usual annual public hearing (Oct. 13) on a law letting it exceed the state 2% tax cap if needed — a routine precaution, and officials say they don't expect to use it.
Non-Bargaining Unit Salary and Benefit Plan
Resolution No. 43 would amend and restate the salary and benefits plan for non-union city employees, affecting pay for a slice of the municipal workforce.
DPW staffing shortfall since 2010
About 32 DPW positions were cut in 2010 and never restored — the department runs on roughly half its old workforce. Councilmembers Martinez and Stewart discussed adding permanent positions and raising temp pay from $18/hour, but Stewart stressed the city needs new revenue first.
Support staff for volunteer boards and council
Corporation Counsel said her office is the de facto administrator for several unstaffed boards — printing flyers, booking rooms, processing vouchers. Multiple council members asked to add an administrative support position in the 2027 budget to take that off the attorneys' plates.
Low pay in the Tax Collector's office
The tax collector's cashiers collect 90-95% of the city's revenue but sit at grade 4 — some earning under $50,000 after decades. Council members across the board said they want raises worked into the city manager's budget before November.
Multiyear Financial Plan 2026-2029
Councilmember Zorrilla warned the city is spending down savings and that state aid projections were off by millions, urging sound financial policies like fund balance and debt limits. Mayor Harvey pushed back, citing an upgraded Moody's bond rating.
2025 City Audit
PKF O'Connor Davies would continue as the city's auditor for 2025 at $101,000. Councilmembers questioned the lack of competitive bidding and want an RFP next year; the audit partner will present findings to the council when the audit wraps in June — and the city has had no audit findings in years.
2025 Audit Corrective Action Plan
Councilmember Zorrilla flagged internal control issues from the recent audit, revenue overestimates of about $6 million, and warned the city's 10-year financial trajectory isn't sustainable.
City Charter review
Roughly half a dozen residents urged the council to create an independent, resident-led charter review commission, noting the city charter dates to 1919. Several council members agreed the council-manager structure limits accountability and said a stronger mayoral or restructured system deserves public examination.
Vacancy Budgeting and Staffing Gaps
Councilmembers Stewart and Zorrilla flagged a years-long pattern of budgeting negative vacancy savings — positions budgeted but never filled — which they say pads the budget and shortchanges services. Vacancy savings estimates have grown from about $1.3 million to $4.9 million.
Property Assessment Consulting Contract
A resident compared Newburgh's $10.22 homestead tax rate to Beacon's $5.49, calling high taxes 'gentrification by taxation' and urging commercial growth to relieve homeowners. Councilmembers agreed economic development is needed and the council retreat will address it.
City finances and police overtime
The fourth-quarter report showed property tax collections at 104% of budget, but police overtime hit 77 points over target because of a manpower shortage. That's a budget pressure residents could feel in next year's spending plan.