Politics on the Hudson

Mount Vernon Mayor Clinton Young got an earful from the public recently when he pitched an $87.4 million budget that included a 13.2 percent tax increase for city residents.

This week, Young said he made a “rookie mistake” releasing a budget that he said was not a finished product. He added, “I won’t do that again.” From the get-go, Young said the budget was a working document and that he didn’t intend to have a tax increase that high.

The budget has since been revised and calls for a 5.71 percent tax increase and $86.4 million in spending. There are no planned layoffs, although funding for two vacant positions was cut. The budget was approved by the Board of Estimate and Contract Monday and now goes before the City Council. The council can further cut the budget, but can’t add to it. See the full story about the revised budget here.