Colonie issues preliminary 2026 budget

COLONIE, N.Y. (NEWS10) -- Town Supervisor Peter Crummey’s tentative budget was adopted as Colonie's preliminary budget for next year by the town board on Thursday night, officials announced. Crummey will present the 2026 budget plan in a public hearing at the November 6 town board meeting.

The submitted plan features continued investments into public safety, water and sewer system maintenance, roadway restoration, and park improvements, while preserving a commitment to overall fiscal responsibility. The plan's proposed town tax rate increase will be about 10 cents per $1000 of assessed value. The average evaluated home will pay $1.16 per month, or $13.88 for the year.

"Once again, my budget proposals regarding the town tax rate for these four years have been dramatically lower than these inflation rates and significantly below the New York State Tax Cap," Supervisor Crummey stated. "In fact, this year’s budget proposes a town tax rate 50% below the New York State Tax Cap imposed on our town."

The new budget has a sewer service charge increase of $1 per month for residents, the total yearly fee for which will be split into three payments for the first time in 2026. The plan also includes a proposed 3% pay increase for the town's workforce.

"Preparing a responsible and realistic budget for the Town of Colonie requires careful analysis of the current economic landscape and thoughtful consideration of future economic trends," Crummey said. "The development of the 2026 budget takes into account the continued challenges posed by national, state, and local economic conditions. It is prudent to study these trends as we must now plan for next year."

Colonie's entire preliminary 2026 budget is available on the town's website.