TUSTEN, NY —  The Tusten Town Board has adopted a preliminary budget for the 2027 fiscal year, which remains under the 2% state-issued tax cap.

The decision was made after the board adopted a local law allowing it to raise the tax cap last month. 

Board member Kevin McDonough said that authorizing the local law was not needed.

“We haven’t gone above the tax cap since.. I don’t remember,” deputy supervisor Jane Luchsinger commented.

“Well, there’s always next year.” town supervisor Ben Johnson joked.

The tentative 2027 budget can be viewed here. The budget for general government support is $556,706, which is an $11,674 increase from last year. The budget for public safety estimates a $6,296 increase from last year. The budget for culture/recreation remains the same. The estimated revenue for the town is $1,247,980 which is a $5,880 increase from last year. 

Property taxes

Attendee Juliette Hermant told the board it should consider utilizing the community preservation fund (CPF), which would implement a one-time tax on purchasers when buying real estate in the area.

The local law would have to appear on local voter ballots.

Westchester, Putnam and Ulster counties have been authorized to use the fund. Sullivan County has not yet been authorized to.

Hermant said there was pending legislation to authorize towns in Sullivan County to propose and implement the local law.

“It seems like that’s coming in [the] process and it’s at a place where it’s getting closer,” she commented.

Hermant urged the board to “seize that opportunity” when it’s an option and that the tax could be a good source of revenue for the town.

“I don’t think you [the town] have total discretion, I think you have discretion within the purpose of what the fund is established for,” town attorney Ken Klein responded.

The fund can be used for “the preservation of community character” which includes preserving open land, saltwater marshes, beachlife, wildlife refuges, rivers, public access to waterways, building parks and more.