Port Jervis Passed 4 Percent Tax Levy Hike After Overriding State Cap

The Port Jervis City Council on Nov. 27 adopted a property tax levy of $7.6 million for 2024, which is 4.16 percent, or $305,552, more than that of the current year. The total budget stands at $17.4 million, which is about $1 million more than the amount in 2023. The tax levy hike almost doubled the maximum amount the state tax cap allowed. Mayor Kelly Decker told The Epoch Times that the hike was necessary to ensure basic city functions amid financial challenges such as inflation and rising employee benefit costs. “There are no frills to it, and it keeps the city operational,” he said of the approved budget. “You have to pay for employee retirements, you have to pay for health insurance, and you have to make sure that your fire and police departments are functional.”...