The Town Board is advertising a 0% property tax increase for 2026. Sounds great, right? But here’s what they’re not putting in the headlines.
We’ve Seen This Trick Before—And It’s Already Planned Again
Look at the pattern:
| Year | Tax Rate | Change | Election Year? |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | $165.78 | 0% | ✓ Yes |
| 2025 | $178.14 | +7.45% | No |
| 2026 | $178.14 | 0% | ✓ Yes |
| 2027 (projected) | $190.75 | +7.08% | No |
Your taxes aren’t staying flat—they’re delayed until after the election.
Freezing Maintenance = Future Costs
The Board’s budget says inflation is 3.3%, yet approximately 150 line items show 0% growth: building maintenance, vehicle maintenance, equipment maintenance, and heating costs.
That seems like very poor planning, given the reality of tariffs, supply chain issues, and other economic drags projected for next year.
Prudent planning suggests that these costs should be increasing.
Your Recreation Fees Are Increasing
While advertising “no tax increase,” here’s what IS increasing:
- Pool memberships: +11%
- Summer camp: +8%
- Youth programs: +6%
- General recreation fees: +15%
The Board is raising nearly $90,000 from recreation fees. That means that fees are going up, or the Board is making very optimistic assumptions about our participation rates increasing. Given the pushback from families about the current fees, that seems unlikely.
Leadership Raises vs. Everyone Else
Over three years (2023-2026), the Board voted themselves much larger raises than other town employees:
| Position | 2024 | 2025 | 2026 | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Supervisor | +8.87% | 0% | +7.54% | 18.68% |
| Council Members | +18.00% | 0% | +11.74% | 38.18% |
| Comptroller | +5.02% | +7.54%* | +7.97% | 23.74% |
| Average employee | +2.44% | +2.91% | +2.91% | 8.74% |
*This number is not shown in the preliminary budget but is reflected as the 2025 salary in the 2026 tentative budget.
The Bottom Line
When we defer maintenance, put off much-needed infrastructure improvements, and increase fees for town services, double-digit salary increases are a slap in the face to residents and town employees alike.
The 0% property tax increase is an election-year illusion. The Board’s own budget projections prove they know this isn’t sustainable.
Your facilities. Your money. Your choice.
All figures are from the Town of Yorktown’s budget reports. 2026 Tentative Budget. 2025 Preliminary Budget (approved). 2024 Preliminary Budget (approved).