Newburgh · issues
Civic issues
Topics getting the most attention in Newburgh public meetings, ranked by how frequently they come up.
Mayor and Council Salary Increase
A public hearing was scheduled for November 9, 2026 on a local law amending City Charter Section C4.00 to increase the annual salaries of the Mayor and Council Members.
2027 City Budget
The council was scheduled to discuss preparations for the 2027 city budget, which shapes next year's taxes, services, and staffing.
Tax Certiorari Consent Judgments on Downtown Properties
Eleven resolutions would settle tax refund lawsuits against the city on properties including several Broadway buildings, 296 Liberty Street and 189 Grand Street. These settlements can reduce the city's tax revenue.
Property tax levy above the tax cap
Local Law No. B of 2026 would let the city levy property taxes above the state limit set by General Municipal Law Section 3-c. That directly affects homeowners' property tax bills.
County Tax Exemption for Reservoir and Filter Plant Properties
The city was scheduled to request an exemption from county taxes on its reservoir and filter plant properties for 2028, saving the city money on its own utility lands.
NECSD desk audits
An update on desk audits of Newburgh Enlarged City School District positions, carried forward as old business with email correspondence.
June 2026 personnel report
K. Thomas asked the commission for reinstatement to an eligible list, which would restore the ability to be considered for appointment from that list.
City Comptroller Recruitment
The city plans to spend up to $28,000 on a consulting firm to recruit its next City Comptroller, the city's top financial officer.
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.
Rental registry trust fund sits untouched at $328K
Councilmember Monteverde flagged a rental registry trust fund with $328,000 sitting unused for years — money collected from rental licenses that was supposed to fund code staff. She asked that it be tapped to avoid hitting the general fund.
Civil Service operations budget
Civil Service, which handles hiring rules for the city, the school district, and the housing authority, is asking for essentially the same budget — just $500 more for travel with gas prices over $5 a gallon.
Bourne and Kenney PILOT agreement
A payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement for the Bourne and Kenney affordable housing development would set how much the project pays the city instead of full property taxes.
Senior program funding questions
Councilmember Zorrilla noticed the senior travel line drops from about $21,000 spent in 2025 to nothing requested for 2027. Councilmember McLymore also pressed not to cut seniors. Staff agreed to review the line.
City archives need a permanent plan
The clerk's office is juggling a flood of FOIL requests — roughly 80-100 a year — while irreplaceable historical records sit in aging, flood-vulnerable storage at 123 Grand Street and the courthouse.
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.
Account Clerk exam scheduling
A request for an alternate test date for the Account Clerk exam, with the exam itself set for October 17, 2026, affects candidates' ability to compete for city jobs.
NECSD Senior Data Processing Clerk title classification
The school district asked the commission to adopt and classify a new Senior Data Processing Clerk title, which affects how that position is filled and paid under civil service rules.
Reinstatement to eligible list (K. Thomas)
K. Thomas asked the commission for reinstatement to an eligible list, which would restore the ability to be considered for appointment from that list.
Real Property Data Collector job description amendment
A proposed amendment to the Real Property Data Collector job description, which can change the duties and qualifications for that municipal position.
183 Prospect Street tax foreclosure settlement
A settlement of 2022 tax-lien foreclosure litigation for the property at 1 Grand Street was on the agenda.
FY2025 CDBG performance report public hearing
A public hearing was scheduled for August 10 on the city's federal block grant annual report, with 15 days for residents to comment on how CDBG funds were used.
Purchasing Agent eligible list
The Commission was asked to declare the Purchasing Agent eligible list appropriate for use, which lets the city start hiring from it.
City Manager vacancy
The council was scheduled to discuss an anticipated vacancy in the City Manager's office — a top leadership post that affects how every city department is run.
City Manager Search
With an interim city manager in place, the council discussed how to plan the transition of the city manager position.
2025 City Audit
The city's outside accounting firm was scheduled to present the 2025 audit — a look at how well the city managed its money last year.
City Court Overtime Budget Line
A resolution was scheduled to create a new overtime line for the City Court and move $15,000 to cover it.
Payment of claims
Three claim payments totaling about $164,000 were scheduled for a vote, including a $150,000 settlement to Rajohine Johnson.
Orange County Sales Tax Revenue Correction
The Comptroller was scheduled to brief the council on a correction to how Orange County distributes sales tax revenue — a issue that can affect city budgets.
Pending city litigation
The council met behind closed doors to discuss proposed, pending, or current litigation involving the city. Residents won't know the subject or outcome unless the council announces it later in open session.
City Charter review
The council opened a discussion on reviewing the City Charter — the document that defines how city government works. Any changes could reshape how the city is governed.
Multiyear Financial Plan 2026-2029
The city's plan to balance budgets through 2029, using reserves while developing new revenue like hotel occupancy and cannabis taxes, with a goal of zero reliance on appropriated fund balance by 2031.
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.
Property Assessment Consulting Contract
The city is considering paying GAR Associates $220,000 over three years to help prepare accurate property tax rolls for 2026–2028. Accurate assessments affect every property owner's tax bill.
Year-end budget amendment FY2025
The council reviewed year-end transfers and amendments to the 2025 budget to cover line items that ran over budget.
Deputy City Manager Title Added to Exempt Class
The city's civil service rules now include a Deputy City Manager title in the exempt class, meaning that position can be filled without competitive civil service testing. It sets up the city's leadership structure under the city manager.
NYS Civil Service Transformation
New York State is rethinking how civil service works and is holding regional forums to gather input. The commission plans to attend the February 17 forum in Hyde Park.
FOIL request for long-term civil service records
Someone has asked the city to hand over roughly 30 years of records under the state's Freedom of Information Law. The commission has 20 calendar days to respond and may seek more time if needed.
Orange County Sales Tax Agreement Extension
The council was scheduled to extend the sales tax distribution agreement with Orange County, Middletown and Port Jervis for 2026 through 2029 — a deal that shapes how much sales tax revenue flows to Newburgh each year.
Assistant City Comptroller position
The proposed 2026 Personnel Book amendment would add an Assistant City Comptroller in the Finance Department, strengthening oversight of city finances.