government

FY 2025-2026 Tentative Budget, Review of 2025 Draft MS4 Annual Stormwater Report Presented

By Stephen E. Lipken

Village of Scarsdale Mayor Jason Arest called the Tuesday, March 25th Board Meeting to order, with many tributes to departing Trustees Sameer Ahuja and Karen L. Brew byArest and their fellow Trustees.

Village Manager Alexandra H. Marshall presented the 2025-2026 Fiscal Year Budget. “This budget calls for an increase in the Tax Levy of 3.95% or $1,930,000 which exceeds the allowable levy under the NYS Tax Cap formula.  For FY 2025-2026, the allowable levy increase under the Tax Cap formula is 3.02% or $1,473,394. This means that approximately $456,606 of the total levy increase exceeds the cap.

“This 3.95% increase translates to a 2.39% rise in the tax rate, equating to $203.25 per year for the average household.

“Personnel costs, including benefits, remain the largest driver of the Budget.  The increase in non-discretionary expenses alone, such as insurance premiums and pension contributions, totals $1,524,000.  Additionally, we are facing a substantial increase in waste disposal fees imposed by Westchester County, with refuse disposal costs rising by 30% and organic waste disposal increasing by 25%,” Marshall noted. 

Stormwater management remains a key focus area.  Last year the Village Board designated $3 million in fund balance for stormwater improvements, with $200,000 included in this year’s Budget. 

In order to maintain conformance with the Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System  (MS4) Phase II program and the State Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (SPDES) the State must comply with six minimum control measures:

1)     Public Education and Outreach

2)     Public Involvement/Participation

3)     Illicit Discharge Detection and Elimination

4)     Management of Construction Site Runoff

5)     Management of Post Construction Site Runoff

6)     Good Housekeeping in Municipal Operations

In the Tuesday, March 18th Scarsdale Election, Arest was re-elected with 280 votes; new Trustee David Goldschmidt received 278 votes; Trustee Dara Gruenberg was re-elected with 288 votes and new Trustee Jason Kofman garnered 290 votes.