Ellenville Approves 7.3% Tax Rise

TL;DR

Tax Hike Approved: Ellenville village board advances proposed budget with 7.3 percent property tax increase for June 2026 to May 2027.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Levy Hits $3.92M: Tax levy set at $3,920,248, total appropriations $6,036,288, at 92.16 percent of constitutional limit.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Unsustainable Costs: Mayor calls budget bare bones amid 14 percent health insurance rise, prompting dissolution talks.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

The story at a glance

Ellenville village trustees held public hearings and approved overriding the 2 percent tax cap for a proposed budget running June 2026 to May 31, 2027, with a 7.3 percent property tax increase. Mayor Evan Trent, Village Manager Nick Woerner, and residents like Scott Carlsen voiced concerns over rising costs and sustainability. This comes after two hearings, with final adoption due by April 27, 2026.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Key points

Proposed tax levy of $3,920,248, 92.16 percent of the $4,096,748 constitutional limit, exceeds 2 percent tax cap.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Total appropriations total $6,036,288; budget called "bare bones" and a "Band-Aid" by Mayor Trent.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Health insurance costs up 14 percent, plus retirement cost increases, amid structural problems.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Initial budget approval passed 3-1, with Trustee Nilsary Lewis-Rivera voting no; tax cap override also 3-1.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)
Comparisons: Maybrook proposes 17 percent increase, Saugerties 30 percent (after 32 percent in 2024), Montgomery 5.1 percent this year, Kingston 9 percent.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Details and context

The budget covers the fiscal year from June 2026 to May 31, 2027. Mayor Trent noted Ellenville has the smallest budget relative to services among similar municipalities, with soaring costs forcing the override. Residents raised sustainability issues and sought homeowner payment plans, but Village Manager Woerner said New York State law limits taxes to two payments per year.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Trent suggested considering significant actions like dissolving the village into the town. The board plans line-by-line cuts over the next two weeks before finalizing by April 27.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Key quotes

Mayor Evan Trent: “the smallest budget of a municipality our size, relative to the services that we have.”[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

“We must consider some more significant actions,” including village dissolution.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Citizen Scott Carlsen: “This is not sustainable.”[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Why it matters

Rising municipal costs strain small villages like Ellenville, forcing tax hikes beyond state caps and sparking talks of dissolution. Homeowners face higher property taxes on top of increases seen in nearby areas like Saugerties and Kingston. Watch for final budget adoption by late April and any movement on structural changes like dissolution.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

What changed

Before: Tax increases limited to 2 percent under state cap.

Now: 7.3 percent property tax rise approved via override, levy at $3,920,248.

When: Public hearings and preliminary votes in April 2026, final by April 27.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

FAQ

Q: Why is Ellenville raising property taxes by 7.3 percent?

A: Soaring costs including a 14 percent rise in health insurance and retirement expenses require overriding the 2 percent tax cap. Mayor Trent called it a bare bones budget due to structural problems and the smallest spending relative to services. The levy stands at 92.16 percent of the constitutional limit.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Q: What are the main budget numbers for 2026-2027?

A: Tax levy is $3,920,248 with total appropriations of $6,036,288. Constitutional tax limit is $4,096,748. The budget runs June 2026 to May 31, 2027, and faces final tweaks by April 27.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Q: How did nearby villages handle tax increases?

A: Maybrook proposes 17 percent, Saugerties 30 percent after 32 percent in 2024, Montgomery 5.1 percent this year after 11.5 percent last, Kingston 9 percent this year after 8 percent last. These show broader regional pressures.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)

Q: What do residents and officials say about sustainability?

A: Citizen Scott Carlsen said it's not sustainable; Mary Sheeley called year-by-year increases unfair to non-unionized workers. Mayor Trent suggested considering village dissolution into the town as a significant action.[[1]](https://shawangunkjournal.com/news/2026/04/20/ellenville-taxes-to-rise/207tTC/)