BY STEPHEN E. LIPKEN

Mamaroneck Town Supervisor Jaine Elkind Eney convened a Board Meeting on November 5 which included a comprehensive discussion of the 2026 Tentative  Budget, prepared by Treasurer Tracy Yogman and Administrator Meredith Robson with final adoption slated for December 17.

The proposed tax rate is an increase of 0.37%.  The Town’s total assessed value increased by nearly $411 million or 3.3%. On a homeowner’s level the average home price within the Town has increased by $57,000 or 3.5%.  The tax levy is therefore spread over a larger base which helps to reduce the tax rate.

There are many future advantages to the residents inherent in this budget:

· The 2026 budget includes $3,563,790 for capital projects on a pay-as-you-go basis, reducing the need for borrowing and resulting in substantial savings on future debt service and borrowing costs.  Approximately 60% of this amount is dedicated to the Rye Lake Filtration Plant project and the Sanitary Sewer pump station replacement.

These projects are funded through the water/sewer fees that do not impact the tax levy. The remaining balance of $1,483,000 is funded by appropriating fund balance and again does not affect the 2026 tax levy. 

· The $1.5 million for capital projects funded with fund balance will avoid additional debt service costs.

A property owner in the unincorporated area with an average assessment of $1.7 million will incur a property tax obligation of $9,507 for all services, a tax increase of 0.37%.  For property owners in the Villages with an average assessment of $1.7 million, their property tax obligation  to the town will be $1,121 or an increase of $73 for the year.

Opening the meeting, Eney thanked the residents for re-electing her, congratulating Councilwoman Robin Nichinsky on her re-election. Darren Moss was elected to the Town Board, former Councilman Anant Nambiar was elected to the Westchester County Board of Legislators.

Eney then congratulated Village of Mamaroneck (VOM) Mayor Sharon Torres and VOM Deputy Mayor Nora Lucas on their re-elections.

Eney noted the 50th Anniversary of Hommocks Ice Rink, celebrated on October 26. 

Supervisor Eney mentioned a movement to reignite the Long Island Sound Watershed Municipal Council to share information, strategy and look for grants, saying that flooding is a regional issue. The Sound Shore is at the bottom of the flow.