Regular Legislative Meeting Addresses FY2026 Budget
By Stephen E. Lipken
Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert called the October 20th New Rochelle Regular Legislative Meeting to order, with Councilman Albert Tarantino discussing Budget Amendments, requesting that it be voted on separately.
“It is highly unusual that we would have a Budget Amendment with increases projected revenues. I would like to hear from the Finance Commissioner about why the projections were long and why we need to do this now. In the past the revenues come in higher and adjustments are made at the end of the year. The revenues are coming in higher than expected. Why are you raising revenues to balance the 2026 Budget?”
Tarantino continued and stated that on December 9, 2025, the New Rochelle City Council officially adopted the FY2026 Budget. The $256 million Budget addressed City Council priorities and resident needs, staying within the tax cap and for the first time in over a decade, does not utilize unassigned fund balance to help balance the budget.
Over $2.1 million dollars was allotted by the City to purchase a new fire engine for the New Rochelle Fire Department, rather that receiving a $2.1 million grant directly from New York State. More than $2.6 million is dedicated to new public works vehicles, including sanitation and dump trucks. Additional capital funding supports improvements to street lighting and traffic calming measures, the planting of 300 new trees as part of thenew Community Forest Management Plan, enhancements at Ward Acres Park and the acquisition of property to create an additional municipal parking lot in the City’s West End.
The Budget also includes the City’s free all-electric shuttle service, CircuitNR and complimentary transportation for children attending City summer camps. It continues support for senior programming and funds for hiring 500 young people through the City’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP).
The City’s 2026 Capital Budget totals $24.3 million, which includes $10 million for Year Three of the Ten-Year Flood Mitigation Program, $3.6 million for citywide roadway paving and more than $1 million for Phase One of the Pinebrook Boulevard Complete Streets Project.