City Council okays $71M in spending for 2026

PLATTSBURGH | In their first meeting of the year, the City of Plattsburgh Common Council approved appropriations for 2026 at $71,014,229.56. The figure is at what Mayor Wendell Hughes proposed in October and represents a 1.2 percent spending increase. Appropriations were approved for the general budget; sewer; parks and recreation complex; the City of Plattsburgh Public Library; municipal parking; the US Oval Parking District; water; debt service and municipal lighting funds. The council approved an $18,385,990.52 tax levy, including $5,168,161.69 for the city's portion of the Clinton County tax levy. The city's property tax rate would be reduced from $9.23 per thousand to $8.75 per thousand, Hughes said of his plan, a tax reduction of 5.24 percent. The organizational meeting saw four councilors take the oath of office for full, three-year terms. Councilors James "Jim" Evans (Ward 2) and Jackie Strack (Ward 3) had been appointed by Hughes to fill vacancies, and both won seats in the November election. Incumbent councilors Julie Baughn (Ward 1) and Jennifer Tallon (Ward 4) were sworn in, having succeeded in their bids for reelection. The council approved Councilor David Monette (Ward 5) to serve as mayor pro tempore for 2026. The pro tem takes on mayoral duties in the mayor's absence. Jim Evans was voted to serve as clerk of the Common Council, a position that requires note keeping from executive session. In the regular meeting, council stepped away for an executive session related to personnel matters. City Building Inspector Joseph McMahon submitted a report of permits provided in 2025. Among building permits, four were issued for chicken coops. Altogether 318 permits were issued for construction activities to include commercial and residential alterations, renovations and demolition. Revenue for building permits totaled $194,394.31 for 318 projects, including over $130,00 for commercial plumbing, electrical and renovation work. CITY LEADERS Councilors offered commendation to City of Plattsburgh Police Chief Jarrod Trombley, who has been out working foot patrol in the city. Councilor Amy Collin thanked City Historian Jackie Stewart for her dynamic attendance at events throughout the city last year and in collaboration with regional historic associations, including Clinton County Historical Association. "I think I did not understand the extent to which she is out there doing things for the City of Plattsburgh, for history, and I was quite honestly shocked at how much time she spends going to meetings and recording things," Collin said. HISTORY PROJECTS Stewart had provided Common Council with a year-end report for 2025, though her formal appointment was made in mid-May. In the report, Stewart highlighted items she would like to put in motion this year. "Her plans this year are even better," the mayor said. "I'm excited to see where she goes with them." Among Stewart's goals for 2026 is a mission to clean the headstones in the Post Cemetery and at Riverside Cemetery. "The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Plattsburgh and the founders of the City of Plattsburgh no longer have the military base or family to care for and clean the graves," she wrote in her report. "It could be the job of the city historian." Stewart also plans to create a blog of "Forgotten History" of the City of Plattsburgh. She has assisted Momot Elementary School teacher Michelle Gottschall and historian Anne Bailey in developing the ABC Children's Book for America250 as the U.S. looks to celebrate 250 years since declaring independence from Britain. This year, she is looking to create programs and history lessons for the Plattsburgh City School District. A former history instructor, Stewart taught at PHS for 34 years. She is a member of the America250 Committee in Clinton County. The city is already scheduling summer events with movie nights planned at Macdonough Park, Melissa Penfield Park and at South Park. The Chill on the Hill sledding party at Fox Hill Park will be held on Feb. 21. The historic front steps into City Hall are still in repair. The entrance is closed for the winter, redirecting visitors and residents to the Trinity Park and Cornelia Street side entryways.

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City Council okays $71M in spending for 2026

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