In the final budget of his tenure, supervisor Bill McKenna proposed a 17.5 percent tax decrease, but the use of $2 million in surplus to accomplish it raises concerns about fiscal responsibility and a lack of funding for emergencies.

Proposed town and highway spending for 2026, including lighting, sewer and water districts, is $11,120,906 — up $611,311, or 5.8 percent. The combined levy is $6,005,334, down $1,274,538, or 17.5 percent, from $7,279,872. Fire and library districts are not included because they are set by separate governing bodies.

The initial budget presentation is usually a five-minute affair, as the town board typically digests it over the coming days and meets with department heads to make adjustments. But this year, council member Bennet Ratcliff and presumptive supervi

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