MONTICELLO — Housing affordability, the village’s financial future, and rising costs dominated last Wednesday night’s public hearing regarding a proposed local law that would permit the Village of Monticello to exceed New York State’s property tax cap if needed for the upcoming fiscal year.

The hearing centered on Proposed Local Law No. 6 of 2026, which would grant the village the flexibility to increase its tax levy beyond the state’s 2% limit for the fiscal year beginning August 1. The measure, explained by Village Attorney Michael Sussman, does not commit the board to any specific increase. Instead, it serves as an “enabling” piece of legislation mandated under state law as the budget process moves forward.

“At the time of the public hearing, the nature of the increase may not be known because [we’re] still in the process of dealing with a budget,” Sussman clarified. “This gives the village administration and board flexibility as they proceed to develop a budget.”

Several residents voiced concerns during the public comment portion of the meeting, questioning how the board plans to avoid another significant tax hike amid ongoing economic strains.

Village resident Alex Portugal stressed that increasing taxes could deter prospective and current homeowners while hampering new development within the village. Citing recent residential projects, he noted that those developments have already generated additional revenue for the municipality.

“If taxes are raised… it causes people that live here already to start thinking if it makes sense [to stay],” Portugal said. “There’s a big potential to have even more revenue by having even more construction and even more new homes.”

Another resident, Yakov Mandelovics, echoed those concerns. Pointing to last year’s roughly 9% village tax increase, he warned that continuous tax hikes could make homeownership steadily unattainable.

“[A] single-family house that is selling right now in the village is going to pay between $15,000 and $18,000 in taxes between school tax, village tax, and county tax,” Mandelovics stated. “It’s an extreme amount.”

Other speakers highlighted the financial hit that renters, landlords, and residents on fixed incomes could face from rising taxes. One resident noted that increased taxes would likely result in higher rents, while another reminded the board that seniors and residents living on fixed incomes are already struggling to cope with rising everyday expenses.

The village board assured attendees that residents’ voices were heard, noting that the village itself is navigating its own financial hardships.

Trustee Theodore Hutchins explained that the board would work to prevent another large tax increase, adding that officials are already reviewing potential spending reductions across municipal departments.

“We’re going to try to pinch every penny that we can to try to keep the taxes down,” Hutchins assured. “[But] the taxes can’t not go up. They have to go up with the cost of living in the village.”

Trustee Gordon Jenkins restated his opposition to large tax increases from their previous meeting, urging the village to explore shared services and potential budget reductions before placing additional strain on taxpayers.

“We’re taxing the hell out of you guys, and myself [being a taxpayer as well],” Jenkins said. “It’s not fair.”

Deputy Mayor John Barbarite noted that upcoming budget workshops with Village Manager James Snowden will be open to the public as the village continues preparing the 2026-27 budget.

The resolution adopting Local Law No. 6 was made with a motion by Trustee Hutchins and seconded by Trustee Jenkins, with all board members present voting in favor.