Sensible Tax Levies
Fiscal Sanity for Sleepy Hollow:
Sensible Tax Policy, Smarter Planning
Since its founding in 2015, Unite Sleepy Hollow has stood for one simple idea: fiscal responsibility should serve the people—not burden them. Through careful planning and transparent budgeting, we helped usher in a new era of development with modest tax changes, responsible debt management, and major infrastructure investments like Edge-on-Hudson and the East Parcel. But over the past year, that steady hand has been replaced by shortsighted decision-making and reactionary budgeting.
The result? Soaring taxes, broken trust, and a community that’s being asked to pay more—without a clear explanation of why.
What Went Wrong? Steep Tax Hikes with No Justification
When Mayor Martin Rutyna took office in April 2023 under the so-called “Transparent Accountable Government” banner, residents hoped for leadership rooted in truth and clarity. Instead, what followed was a sharp departure from fact-based governance. In just two years, the Village has experienced a staggering 22.43% increase in property taxes—imposed by Mayor Rutyna. These increases have been justified with dire warnings about Village debt, but that story doesn’t hold up to the numbers.
Here’s What They Aren’t Telling You:
● Village revenues have been higher than projected.
● Expenses have come in well below budget.
● The Village’s fund balance is stronger than expected.
● Debt service remains manageable and well within safe limits.
The Impact It Has On Sleepy Hollow Residents:
● 2025 Tax Spike: In 2024, the Mayor and trustees passed a 14.85% property tax increase.
● 2026 Pile-On: That was followed by another 7.58% property tax increase for 2026.
● Two-Year Total: A shocking 22.43% increase in just 24 months—without spending the money.
Unite Sleepy Hollow candidates Jim Husselbee and Tom Andruss offered alternative budget strategies grounded in data and fiscal sanity. Both candidates strongly opposed the increases on property taxes.
The Facts: A Closer Look at the Budget Breakdown
This isn’t speculation—it’s arithmetic. Let’s walk through what really happened behind the numbers.
● FY 2024 Budget: The Village adopted a $25.8 million budget, to be funded through a mix of non-tax revenue, reserves, and property taxes.
● Missing Oversight: After firing The Village Treasurer, the Mayor left the position unfilled for months, delaying the audit until March 2025—far too late to guide budget decisions.
● The Audit’s Findings: When the numbers finally arrived, they revealed $2.09 million in positive variances: $628,000 more in revenue and $1.46 million less in spending.
● Fund Balance Surprise: The fund balance came in at $6.61 million, not the $4.92 million the Mayor claimed.
● FY 2025 Budget Reality: Despite approving a $26.58 million budget, only 64% of it had been spent as of March 11, 2025. If that pace held, spending would total just $23.92 million—meaning nearly $3 million went unspent while residents were taxed for it.
● FY 2026 Tax Hike: Even with all of this data in hand, the current administration imposed another 7.58% increase—again, ignoring the actual financial picture.
A Smarter Path Forward:
Fiscal Responsibility Without the Burden
Unite Sleepy Hollow believes in protecting services without overtaxing residents. We’ve already completed extensive analysis to identify ways we can roll back part of these increases—while keeping Sleepy Hollow moving forward.
Here’s How We’ll Do It:
● Leverage New Revenue Streams: New residents from Edge-on-Hudson are contributing to the tax base, and the Village is set to receive $4.6 million from General Motors in 2026. That money should reduce tax burdens—not disappear into poorly managed budgets.
● Sustain Smart Investments: We will continue improving streets, parks, and public spaces—but with accountability and efficiency at the core.
● Plan for the Long Term: Our approach includes better revenue planning around Halloween tourism, stronger local business support, and modernized financial forecasting—so we never have to choose between services and sanity.
Time to Restore Balance
Unite Sleepy Hollow: Data-Driven Decisions. Real Relief for Residents. A Smarter Fiscal Future.
We believe fiscal policy should be grounded in transparency, facts, and a clear-eyed commitment to the people of Sleepy Hollow. That’s what we’ve done in the past, and that’s what we’re prepared to do again. It’s not too late to right the ship. With the right leadership and a return to community-first budgeting, we can ensure Sleepy Hollow remains not just a great place to live—but one that’s affordable, sustainable, and prepared for the future.
