SUNY Adirondack presents $35.8 million 2026–27 budget; committees set July public hearing

SUNY Adirondack presented its proposed 2026–2027 operating budget of $32,798,456 and $3,029,983 in restricted grants — a total of $35,828,439 — at a joint Washington County Community College and Finance Committee meeting on June 5 in Queensbury.

Vice President for Administrative Services and Treasurer Keith Kaplan led the budget presentation, saying the college has addressed a structural $1.4 million deficit from FY2024–25 by reducing personnel costs through attrition and targeted cuts. The college projects a small surplus for the current year that will restore the unreserved fund balance to roughly 8% of operating expenditures, Kaplan said.

The proposal holds tuition increases to 1.25% (a $36-per-semester rise for full-time New York State residents), budgets no use of unreserved fund balance, and anticipates state operating aid to remain essentially flat. Sponsor support from Warren and Washington counties is part of a six-year plan to bring local contributions to one-third of operating expenses; the presentation shows sponsors’ combined contributions increasing by $294,000 for 2026–2027 (Warren +$169,000; Washington +$125,000).

Committee members recorded two procedural motions: the Community College Committee moved, seconded and adopted a motion to bring the SUNY Adirondack budget to the next Board meeting and to set a public hearing in July (motion moved by Mr. Hall; seconded by Mrs. Clary). The Finance Committee adopted a companion motion to move approval of the budget and set the public hearing (moved by Mr. O'Brien; seconded by Mrs. Fedler). The transcript records both motions as adopted; no roll-call tallies were provided.

The college's presentation attributes revenue declines to changing student mix and lower chargeback revenue from non-sponsor counties — chargeback revenue is projected to fall from $5.3 million to $4.8 million — and lists planned investments in technology and student supports even as people costs are trimmed. The college asked sponsors to approve the proposal at upcoming board action and public hearing.

The committees set a public hearing for July; the presentation materials and committee motions move the budget to further board consideration. The Finance Committee and Community College Committee took no final board-level vote on the budget at the June 5 meeting.