JEFFERSONVILLE – For the first time in 15 years, the Town Board of Callicoon voted unanimously to override the 2% tax cap at its regular meeting on Tuesday, October 13.

Citing increasing insurance costs, inflation, and the need to pay town employees fair wages, Town Supervisor Tom Bose said there would be a projected 4.4% increase in property tax for 2027.

The public hearing for Callicoon’s proposed 2027 budget will be held at 19 Legion St. in Jeffersonville on November 9 at 7:15 p.m. Bose urged all residents wishing to speak on the budget to attend.

Bose said he and the board have done everything in their power to be fiscally responsible. “We’ve saved money every place we could,” he said. “We’ve purchased used trucks and equipment, which we continue to do and try to compensate our employees justly.”

Bose said cost-of-living increases needed to be reflected in employees’ salaries so they can pay their bills. He also thanked the Highway Department for maintaining the town’s roads despite rising cost of tools and vehicles.

“This year, with careful consideration and a lot of hard work by our department heads, board members, and our bookkeeper, we’ve worked very hard to come up with a budget that is fiscally responsible,” he stated. “But we are choosing to override the tax cap.”

Bose said the town is in great shape financially and has healthy fund balances, but overriding the tax cap is still the best move.

“If I were faced with the same decision to operate my business,” said Bose, “ I would make the same decision. If the voters don’t think we’re doing a good job, they’re going to show us the real tax cap limit because they’re going to vote us out.”