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The Kingston Fire Department will see no major changes in its budget for 2026, according to Fire Chief Chris Rea. Mayor Steve Noble has proposed a $63.3 million budget for the city, with $12 million allocated to the fire department and its ambulance service. The budget plan, presented to the Common Council’s Finance and Audit Committee, represents an increase of approximately $3.4 million from the previous year, raising the tax levy by 5.745%. The residential property tax rate would rise from $9.87 to $10.78 per $1,000 of assessed value.
The fire department's budget includes $9.8 million for fire services and $2.7 million for the ambulance service. The ambulance service is expected to collect $1.9 million in billing revenue from insurers, Medicare, and Medicaid, an increase of $400,000 from 2025. A significant upcoming expense for the department is the purchase of a new "fly car," equipped with advanced life support equipment, to replace a 2013 vehicle. This vehicle will be staffed by a paramedic and will respond to mutual aid calls outside the city.
Mayor Noble's budget proposal also includes a phased salary increase for Common Council members and a new 3% bed tax on hotel and short-term rental stays. The budget emphasizes public safety, with the largest expenditure being the Kingston Police Department and the city's ambulance service. The city's budget vote is expected in the coming weeks.