New Rochelle: 2025 Proposed Budget Released
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~ New Rochelle Acting City Manager Wilfredo Melendez has unveiled his proposed budget for Fiscal Year 2025, which aims to maintain service levels and invest in critical infrastructure while providing a balanced budget. The proposed budget of $275.3 million includes a tax rate increase of 1.83%, in compliance with the New York State tax cap legislation.

According to Melendez, the average homeowner can expect an annual property tax increase of $76, or approximately $6 per month. This increase is necessary to fund the city's ongoing commitment to public safety, infrastructure modernization, climate change preparedness, community engagement, and economic development.

One of the key highlights of the proposed budget is the increase in on-duty minimum staffing for the Fire Department from 36 to 38, in line with directives from the Fire Department Staffing Study and industry standards recognized by NFPA/OSHA. This move will ensure better response times and improved safety for residents.

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In addition, the Police Department will receive increased resources for quality of life violation enforcement, creating a friendlier environment for residents to live, work, and play. The city's aging infrastructure will also continue to be modernized through the updated 10-year Capital Plan.

The proposed budget also includes measures to address climate change by enhancing New Rochelle's Climate Vulnerability Assessment and completing the updated Sustainability Plan known as GreeNR. These efforts will be supported by leveraging funding through the Direct Pay Program.

Community engagement is another key focus of the proposed budget, with resources allocated towards enriching programming for youth and seniors and increasing public activations. Economic development remains a priority as well, with continued implementation of the Retail Strategic Plan for downtown New Rochelle and an emphasis on revitalizing the Anderson Plaza Vanguard District.

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The budget also maintains investment in community development programs such as job training, placement, and housing assistance programs. The remaining rise in expenses included in the proposed budget is attributed to union contractual obligations for employee salaries, health insurance, and pension increases. These will be funded through a combination of tax revenue, fees, grant funding, and anticipated increases in one-time revenue streams generated from the city's development program.

Melendez expressed his gratitude for the support and hard work of city staff in preparing the proposed budget. He stated that it meets the fundamental obligation of fiscal responsibility as effective stewards of taxpayer dollars while also reinvesting in the community.

Copies of the proposed budget are available for public viewing at the City Clerk's office, New Rochelle Public Library, and on the city's website. The City Council will conduct budget review meetings in November and December before holding a Public Hearing on December 3rd. The tax rate will be adopted in December.

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