Potsdam board advances 2027 budget with higher general fund levy
The Potsdam Town Board approved a preliminary 2027 budget that increases the general fund tax levy by just over $120,000 and raises the general fund tax rate by 20 cents per $1,000 of assessed value.
By Jessica Hale, ClickNNY North Country Desk
The Potsdam Town Board has approved a preliminary 2027 budget that would increase the town’s general fund tax levy by $120,394.03, to $935,452.31. The general fund tax rate would rise from 0.82 to 0.95 per $1,000 of assessed property value, according to the town’s preliminary budget document.
The board’s preliminary plan uses a $200,000 general fund balance appropriation. The townwide rate, which applies to all town residents, would increase from $2.62 to $2.82 per $1,000 of assessed value. The town budget document estimates that change at about $20 more per year for each $100,000 of assessed value. The highway district rate would rise from $1.04 to $1.08 per $1,000.
The tax impact differs for residents of the Unionville water and sewer districts, Route 56 districts, and the Norwood, Potsdam, West Potsdam and Hannawa fire districts.
A townwide revaluation increased assessments on about one-third of properties, while the equalization rate moved from 69% to 100%. New York’s property-tax cap for 2027 was set at 2%. A municipality can exceed the cap through a local law approved by a 60% supermajority before budget adoption.
The town’s tentative budget draft from an Oct. 13, 2026, meeting was tabled before the preliminary plan was approved Oct. 22, 2026.
Public hearing and final vote
The town has scheduled a public hearing on the preliminary budget for 4:30 p.m. Nov. 5, 2026, before that evening’s Town Board meeting. Councilors are expected to vote on the final 2027 budget later during the meeting.
The meeting and hearing are listed on the town calendar. Potsdam posts virtual meeting links and recordings on its website. The hearing is at Town Hall, 18 Elm St., Potsdam, NY 13676. Written comments may be directed to the town clerk.
A separate public hearing on Local Law 2026-6 is scheduled for 5 p.m. Nov. 9, 2026. The town can be reached at 315-265-3430. The 2027 preliminary budget and meeting information are available through the Town of Potsdam website.
Reported by ClickNNY and reviewed by an editor before publication.
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