Mayor's Message

2026 Budget Address

Kingston Colonial Days Weekend of Events October 17-19

Boo at the Zoo on October 24

Mayor Noble's Weekly Radio Show

Mayor Noble's Upcoming Listening Tour Meetings

Weekly Roadwork/Infrastructure Update

City of Kingston Board & Commission and Job Opportunities

Mayor's Message:

Dear Friends -

Today, I presented my 2026 Recommended Budget for the Common Council’s review and consideration.  

From 2016 to 2024, tax rates steadily declined with no growth to our tax levy. During those eight years, we were able to make major investments in infrastructure, implement forward-thinking sustainability efforts, and pay down existing debt.

The financial stressors and employee benefit increases that we encountered for 2025 have not lessened, and unfortunately, sales tax, a major source of revenue for the City of Kingston, has flattened. To continue to invest in our critical infrastructure, maintain City services, support staff contract and benefit increases, accommodate exponential rises in insurance premiums and deductibles, and continue operation of the City’s new ambulance service, my 2026 Recommended Budget includes a tax rate increase of 9.89%.

After weeks of careful calculation and thoughtful deliberation, the 2026 Recommended Budget reflects the financial pressures the City is facing. This budget will continue to provide excellent City services, continue to operate our own ambulance service and EMS care, invest in a new fire station and support the staff who deliver these services, while minimizing costs as much as possible. We will do all we can to prevent overburdening our taxpayers, and so this budget reflects a very restrained spending agenda. 

The Council will now give their own review and thoughtful consideration to my Recommended Budget.

-Steve

2026 Budget Highlights

Mayor Noble presented his 2026 Proposed Budget on Friday, October 17 at 11:00am in Council Chambers at City Hall.

Budget highlights:

• 0 layoffs of current staff  
• Overall Spending increases by 5.7%
• Amount to be raised by taxes is increased by 9.89% to $21,496,726.  
• Homestead rate at $10.78 (per thousand)  
• Non-homestead at $16.78 (per thousand) 
• Low Fiscal Stress Score (6.7 out of 100)  
• Funding set aside to settle all three union contracts
• Prior investment in equipment across departments eases Capital Plan costs in 2026
• Sewer Rate set at $8.19

My full Budget Address and presentation can be viewed at https://kingston-ny.gov/budget2026.

Kingston Colonial Days 2025

A new biennial event, Kingston Colonial Days, will be held October 17-19, 2025. Events will include demonstrations and exhibitions, a film screening, performances, panel discussions, a 5k run from Uptown Kingston to historic Hurley, and more.

Kingston Colonial Days event will present a wide range of topics and will explore diverse voices during the time from first contact with Indigenous peoples to Kingston as the first state capital, the Revolutionary War, and other historic events. For the full schedule of events, please visit https://engagekingston.com/kingston-colonial-days.

The Burning of Kingston event will return in 2026 and 2027 to commemorate the 250th anniversary of the Revolutionary War. Kingston Colonial Days will be held again in 2028 and will be biennial on the even years.

Boo at the Zoo on October 24

Boo at the Zoo returns on Friday, October 24 at Forsyth Park. The event starts at 5:30pm, following by the film Halloweentown playing at dark. This free event is fun for the whole family!

Come in costume. Bring a blanket or chair for the movie.

Mayor Noble's Weekly Radio Show

Mayor Noble's weekly radio show, "It's the Mayor," which airs Tuesday at 5:00pm on Radio Kingston is back! This week he spoke with City of Kingston Comptroller John Tuey about the 2026 Budget process.

Click below to hear their conversation.

Mayor Noble's Listening Tour Meetings

Mayor Noble, along with Council members from each ward, is hosting monthly ward meetings to meet with residents and hear their concerns.

See you Monday, Ward 8!

Ward 8

with Alderman Steve Schabot

Monday, October 20, 2025

5:30pm

Albert Brown Community Center (former Rondout Center), 105 Broadway

Ward 9

with Alderwoman Michele Hirsch

Monday, November 17, 2025

5:30pm

Immanuel Lutheran Church, 22 Livingston Street

Road Closures & Traffic Advisories

Friday, October 17 - the Kingston High School homecoming parade will begin at 5:30pm, kicking off from George Washington Elementary and will end at Dietz Stadium around 6:30pm. There will be intermittent traffic control along the parade route as it moves up Wall St and turns left at North Front Street.

Saturday, October 18 - there will be a very large event at Academy Green on Saturday at 2:00pm. Parking will be limited near the park. Traffic is expected to be gridlocked in this area for much of the afternoon.

Roadwork/Infrastructure & Road Closures Update

Paving– three additional streets have been added to next week's paving project. In addition to Stephan Street, the following will be milled and paved:

Wilkie Avenue from Pearl Street to Ringtop Road

Overlook Drive from Pearl Street to Ringtop Road

Ringtop Road from Wilkie Avenue to city line

Milling is expected to begin Monday, October 20 and paving is expected to be completed by Friday, October 24, weather depending.

Central Hudson– paving restoration will begin next week. The following schedule is tentative and weather depending:

October 22: Greenkill Avenue

October 27: Van Deusen milling

October 28: Van Deusen paving

October 29: Van Buren/Furnace

October 30: Cedar Street from Broadway to Iwo Jima

October 31: Cedar Street from Iwo Jima to Clinton

November 3: Clinton Avenue

November 4: Cedar Street laterals

November 5: various laterals

First Avenue sewer work-- sewer and paving preparation work continues on First Avenue. Paving is expected to be the last week of October. Be alert for rough road conditions on First Avenue.

Albany Avenue ADA sidewalks– State DOT is removing and replacing sidewalks in various locations throughout Kingston, including along Albany Avenue, Ulster Avenue, and Route 32. The lane closures along Albany Avenue are causing delays. Seek alternate routes.

Golden Hill- the installation for the permanent signal pole and traffic lights is tentatively scheduled for the week of November 10.

9-W paving- NYSDOT paving of 9-W continues between Canal Street in Port Ewen to Route 32 in Kingston. The Rondout Creek bridge will not be paved in the concrete sections, but shoulders will be resurfaced. During this time, single lane closures along 9-W will be in place from 8:00am to 4:00pm. 

Toward the end of next week or the following week, NYSDOT will be closing each of the Delaware Ave ramps, one at a time between 8:00am-4:00pm to complete their paving work. This work is expected to take four days total. Traffic will be detoured away from the closed ramp and directed toward Rt 32 or Broadway.

Loughran Park pickleball/tennis court improvement– acrylic coating is being applied to the asphalt surfaces. The coatings will continue to be applied next week. 

The weekly roadwork update can be found on the City website here.

Pickleball court construction this week

City of Kingston Job and Board/Commision Opportunities

The City of Kingston is hiring! The following positions are currently open:

• Recreation Leader
• Solid Waste Foreman

For more information on civil service exams and job opportunities, please visit https://kingston-ny.gov/employment

The following civil service exams are scheduled:

• Spanish Speaking Clerk on November 8, 2025 (application due 10/23)

The City has over 25 boards & commissions, and we're always looking for volunteers to serve the community. The following currently have openings:

• Ulster County Planning Board (Kingston rep)
• Ethics Board (Republican or non enrolled)
• Conservation Advisory Council
• Zoning Board of Appeals

Find the application at: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KingstonBoards.

The Kingston 311 app, website, and phone system allow residents to quickly and easily report issues and submit service requests.

The Kingston 311 app, available for Android & iPhones, is a fast and simple way to connect to City officials in non-emergency situations. Photos can be attached to illustrate service orders.



This system is a valuable resource to submit municipal service requests. Examples include:

• Streetlight replacement
• City signage, including overgrowth blocking traffic signs
• Snow removal, reporting parking violations, and other snow issues
• Parks & playground repairs
• Report graffiti or vandalism
• Trail issues

Dial 311 from any phone within City limits to reach us, use the app or visit www.kingston-ny.gov/311/