Civic Issues
Topics getting the most attention in Peekskill public meetings, ranked by how frequently they are discussed.
22 issues in taxes budget
Veterans and military property tax exemptions
Three new local laws would cut property taxes for seriously disabled veterans, troops serving in combat zones, and families of officers killed in the line of duty. Public hearings come November 23.
2027 Budget and Tax Cap Override
The council approved next year's operating budget. This shapes what the city spends on services, staffing, and everything else residents rely on.
DISH Wireless bankruptcy claim
DISH Wireless went bankrupt and canceled its lease on city water tower equipment. A buyer is offering 57 cents on the dollar — $22,511.25 of the $39,150 claim — now, versus a wait of years for uncertain bankruptcy proceeds.
2027 Department Budget Presentations
DPW is proposing about $7.9 million for 2027 — roughly 2.5% below 2026 — but is asking for unfunded positions including an electrician, motor equipment operators, laborers and help for the building maintenance division, which is currently a one-man operation. Council also discussed parking meter removal as the pay-by-plate kiosk system arrives.
Senior nutrition program funding
A $133,202 contract with Westchester County funds home-delivered meals and the Cold Supper program for at-risk seniors — no city match.
Rising police and fire retirement costs
Police and fire retirement costs have more than doubled from $2.34 million in 2020 to $4.87 million in 2026, and are projected to top $5 million in 2027 — one of the biggest pressures driving the tax increase.
Proposed Transfer Tax
The city wants to start using transfer tax money — currently locked to firehouse debt — for police and fire expenses once the debt is on a path to payoff. With retirement costs and ALS expenses rising, this could be a big shift in how emergency services get funded.
2027 MTA Parking Permit Fee Increases
Metro-North signed off on the city's parking fee increases for the railroad lots. The plan and contract need to be signed by November 1 to take effect in 2027.
2027 Fee Schedule with 3% Across-the-board Increase
The proposed fee schedule raises most fees 3% to keep pace with costs, while leaving senior parking permits, certificates, dog licenses and some rental fees unchanged. Council flagged a fingerprint fee typo and asked for residential/non-residential distinction at the marina boat launch.
Capital plan and debt schedule
The city's capital plan was updated with two new grants for flood mitigation and stormwater work, and the debt schedule shows $32.3 million in outstanding long-term bonds. The budget proposes using $6.6 million in restricted firehouse fund balance — $600,000 a year — to pay down the firehouse debt.
Retirement wave and succession planning
About 49 positions — 25% of the full-time workforce — could need filling by 2030 as employees become pension-eligible. Seven leadership roles, including fire chief, police chief, comptroller and city manager, are at highest risk, and four require council consent to fill. HR is building succession plans and documenting procedures so services don't lapse.
Successful equalization rate challenge saves taxpayers $655K
The state tried to raise Peekskill's 2026 equalization rate by nearly 22%, which would have inflated the city's share of the county tax bill and exposed it to commercial tax refunds. The Assessor's office appealed in-house and got the spike cut in half — an estimated $655,000 in savings on the county levy for FY2027.
City cost-sharing for 5 John Walsh Boulevard building
The city has been storing files in the agency-owned former bank building without paying utilities or insurance, including roughly $10,000 a year in coverage and costly winter heating. A license agreement forcing the city to pick up those costs is being drafted and could reach the board next month.
Neighborhood Center Elevator Upgrade
The city accepted a $47,500 federal grant, matched with $47,500 of its own, to replace the Neighborhood Center elevator's electrical panel. At the same meeting, residents complained about dirty bathrooms and asked for a part-time daytime cleaner at the facility.
Neighborhood Center cleanliness and staffing
Residents submitted a petition for a part-time daytime cleaner at the Neighborhood Center and complained about filthy bathrooms.
Q2 2026 budget performance
The city is on budget, but parking meter and fine revenue is lagging because broken meters and a shortfall in parking enforcement are costing money. Retirement system costs are running about $1 million over projections.
Vehicle and equipment bond
The city is borrowing up to $1.14 million to replace aging police cruisers, pickup trucks, a garbage truck, a compactor and an air compressor. Vehicles get handed down between departments or auctioned. Borrowing will be rolled into the August bond anticipation note renewal at an estimated lower rate.
Parking kiosk modernization
The city is replacing individual parking meters that frequently fail with nine new kiosks using pay-by-plate and the Passport app. Broken meters have caused enforcement problems and lost revenue.
Firehouse transfer tax reserve growing unusable
The transfer tax earmarked for firehouse debt keeps piling up — about $500K a year extra — and the law currently bars spending it elsewhere. Staff plans a proposal to redirect some of it toward new firefighters.
City's 2025 financial health and fund balance
The city projects a 2025 deficit driven by a $1.5 million lawsuit settlement and delayed tax foreclosure sales. A 2026 tax auction is expected to recover about $1.6 million in penalties and interest, plus the $3.8 million from the 901 Main Street deal.
Multi-year capital plan and facility needs
First look at the capital plan due July 1: huge deferred facility needs including a $35M highway garage, $12M Depew pool, $7M court building and Youth Bureau renovations, and $11.75M lower South Street sewer work. Council comments and corrections will come back at the next work session.
Workers' compensation insurance renewal
Good news on the budget: workers' comp premiums dropped 5.1% to about $980,363 for the coming year after two straight increases.