Poughkeepsie Passes 2025 Budget

POUGHKEEPSIE – The City of Poughkeepsie Common Council approved the 2025 budget Tuesday, opting not to make any changes to Mayor Yvonne Flowers’ initial proposal that will continue to keep the city in a fiscally stable position, while funding essential services that benefit city residents and businesses.

The Council’s approval of the $109,188,227 million budget, which includes a general fund appropriation of approximately $70,726,203 million, makes much-needed investments in public safety and in infrastructure, including road and bridge repairs.

“I compliment the Common Council on their decision and am grateful they recognize the administration put forth a responsible budget to address the city’s challenges and to ensure the city continues a stronger financial footing,” Mayor Flowers said.

With the new tax rate for 2025, homeowners will see an increase of just over 9 percent in their property taxes, which will translate to $18.20 per month for a homeowner with an average $300,00 assessed value.

When releasing her budget proposal, Mayor Flowers cited inflationary pressures, mandates, the end of American Rescue Funds, and extraordinary increases in must-pay expenses including health care and pension costs as reasons for the property tax increase.

For the average assessed home, water, sewer and sanitation rate increases would also translate to $9.61 per month increase.

Common Council Member At Large Da’Ron Wilson said, “The Common Council and the Administration made difficult but balanced choices in the face of harsh inflationary increases. By addressing the need to keep our finances stable, the city is laying the foundation for more investment in the city, which ultimately can expand our tax base and shift the cost burden placed on current homeowners and businesses.”

Connected to those strategies, city officials cited approval of the new zoning code and the pending implementation of the Business Improvement District to assist with promoting and stimulating the business landscape to maintain and attract new businesses.

They also pointed to the city’s upgraded financial status, as noted by the State Comptroller’s office and two key credit ratings agencies, a result of the fiscal healing that has occurred since the city faced a $13.2 million general fund deficit.