PORT JERVIS, NY — There was disagreement at the May 23 Port Jervis Common Council meeting when two newly elected council members, Sarah Hendry and Kristin Trovei, voiced their opposition to any possible tax increase above the state cap of 2%.

Hendry read out loud a prepared statement, after which Councilman Stan Siegel declared he, too, opposes going above the limit. Mayor Kelly Decker seemed taken aback by the declaration, and stated the increase was in the best interest of the city that is in dire financial straits. A public hearing regarding the proposed law is set for June 13 at 7 p.m., and both Hendry and Decker urged city residents to contact their ward representatives about the matter.

Decker had written in a Facebook post, “Our citizens deserve much more than the power of nine [council members]. As the Mayor it is my task to lead the city into prosperity and to make it grow while the nine council members vote, in what should be in the best interest of our community in making it successful and flourish. It will never be a harmonious task but it is one that should work in unity and compromise as others can dilute its success with innuendos and gossip.”

Hendry read from the prepared statement, “A few months ago this council voted down the law to exceed the 2% tax cap citing a hope that a more focused and concerted effort to reduce costs would make it unnecessary. We have seen the careful budgeting of resources by department heads in committee meetings.”

Hendry and Trovei see cost cutting as the only way forward, and suggested two solutions: to contract out city garbage removal, and to introduce a charge to attend events.

Decker countered with, “I agree that additional cost savings ideas are being looked at but I warn the public, as I did with our councilwomen who choose not to listen, that we must be careful not to be ‘penny wise and pound foolish.’”

He said he thought the two major ideas suggested by Hendry and Trovei would mean several Department of Public Works (DPW) employees losing their jobs. He added, “I am sure that an independent sanitation firm will give the city a good introductory rate for the first three years but then could easily increase the rates and possibly make it cost prohibitive.”

He also stated about events, “I agree in a fee, but to charge for all services would be cost prohibitive to organizations. It will force the events to go to a community that will allow them to hold them for a nominal fee or no fee. The money that would have been spent here by the participants, visitors and vendors then go elsewhere and our sales tax share goes away.”

He also warned that if the services in the city are being cut as they were in Newburgh in 1952, it will descend into disrepair.

To pass the measure, five council members need to vote “yes.” Three have already committed to a “no” vote. A public hearing will be held June 13.