Town of Ancram adopts 2026 budget after brief discussion

The Town of Ancram adopted its 2026 final budget as Resolution 37Of2025 following a brief discussion and a roll‑call vote.

Supervisor McCarthy read the resolution and asked for a roll call; town clerk Monica recorded unanimous 'Yes' votes from Councilwoman Lutz, Supervisor McCarthy, Councilman Boyse, Councilwoman Gold and Councilwoman Hunt. "Resolve that the town board of the town of Ancram does hereby approve the 2026 Town Of Ancram final budget," the resolution states (read aloud by the supervisor).

Board members endorsed the budget as a compromise after a year of work by staff and the finance advisory committee. One member said previous policies that kept taxes low left the town with less surplus, and modest tax increases were necessary to restore fiscal balance. "I think what we've done here, the compromises we've made and the future forecast, I think we're doing the right thing," one council member said in support.

The board also approved a set of budget transfers to cover audit and operating shortfalls, totaling $36,935.03, moving funds from a capital/roof line and fund balance into lines for accounting, engineering, building repairs, pool payroll, and other items. The clerk explained the transfers and noted some reimbursements have already returned to the town account.

The board set the next regular meeting for Dec. 18 and discussed combining the year‑end and organizational meetings in early January to finalize end‑of‑year business.