Porter adopts 2026 budget, reviews home sales report

Staff Reports

The Porter Town Board unanimously adopted its $6,664,168 budget for 2026 following limited comments at Monday’s public hearing.

The budget calls for a tax rate of $2.77098 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, and follows the Town Board’s 2% tax cap override last month.

In his remarks, Supervisor John “Duffy” Johnston said Porter, like other towns in the area, has struggled with both rising costs and uncertain future revenues. He said the 2026 budget maintains funding levels for the town’s two libraries and its fire companies, covers health insurance increases and provides for cost of living increases for town employees.

Representatives of the Ransomville Free Library and Youngstown Free Library both voiced their support for the budget, which funds the two libraries at $144,200 each for 2026.

“We understand the difficult position the town has trying to balance your budget,” said Jane Hamilton, president of Ransomville Library board of trustees. “Granted, our budget is far less, but, we too, have a difficult time balancing our budget with the costs of everything increasing. … We thank you for the continued support of our library.”

Karen Swayze of the Youngstown Free Library board of trustees, likewise, voiced her support. She said town funding helps the library – the smallest among the NIOGA branches – to maintain its presence in the community.

“Thank you for helping ensure that the Youngstown Free Library continues to foster lifelong learning in our community,” she said.

In response, Johnston said, “We look at everything closely, and we didn’t cut anything from the budget this year. We would almost like to give you more, but as you say, everything’s gone up.”

In other news:

•The board announced a 6 p.m. public hearing on Monday, Dec. 8, to consider $350,000 in capital spending improvements for the Porter west sewer district. The funding would cover the replacement of manholes in the sewer district, along with incidental district improvements and related costs.

•The board approved a contingency quote of $6,350 to Joe Niccola’s Lawn Service for salting and snow removal at Town Hall for the 2025-26 winter season. The quote covers the period from Nov. 1 to April 1, 2026, and includes snowplowing of the parking lot and winter maintenance of the sidewalks following a 1-inch accumulation or more of snow.

The Niccola’s quote said, “Every effort will be made to keep lot and walks free from snow and ice during (Town Hall) business hours, court and evening meetings.”

•The board reviewed a detailed assessor’s report from Selah Dell, town real property aide. The monthly report covers recent home sales in the town and the current assessed valuation of properties, as Porter continues its joint reassessment project with the Town of Lewiston. Select town properties listed in Dell’s report include: 903 Lockport Road, assessed valuation, $97,500; recent sales price, $249,000; 589 Lake Road, assessed valuation, $250,000; recent sales price, $750,000; and 565 Oak St., assessed valuation, $84,900; recent sales price, $225,000.

Porter last conducted a townwide assessment in 2000 and maintained 100% full value of its properties through 2007. Its current level of assessment is 47%. An updated final assessment roll currently being conducted by GAR Associates is expected to be completed in the town and filed on July 1, 2026.