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The Newburgh City Council approved the 2026 budget, totaling approximately $72 million, during a meeting on Monday (November 24). The budget includes the addition of two new firefighter positions, a decision made after discussions about adding more police officers were postponed to avoid increasing property taxes. The council also approved the creation of a deputy city manager position, despite some opposition.
Councilman Robert Sklarz and Omari Shakur voted against the budget, which passed by a four to two vote with one member absent. The budget does not include any increases in water, sewer, or sanitation fees for the upcoming year.
Initially, City Manager Todd Venning proposed creating police and fire commissioner roles, but the council ultimately decided against these positions. Instead, they focused on enhancing the fire department's capacity by adding two firefighters. The new deputy city manager role was added to the budget with limited opposition, despite some concerns about the number of administrative positions.
The budget's approval marks a step forward in the city's efforts to enhance public safety and administrative efficiency without burdening residents with additional fees. The council's decision reflects a compromise between expanding essential services and maintaining fiscal responsibility.