As expected, Rye City Council approved the 2026 budget of $54,508,069, a 8.78% increase. The vote was 6 – 1 in favor, with outgoing Councilman Bill Henderson voting against the budget, after objecting to certain line items. The budget represents an increase of $443 or $37 per month for the “average home” (a home valued at $2,076,271, or a median assessed value of $24,500. One of the items debated (and then approved) was the addition of one additional police officer and one additional fire fighter.
A state report earlier in the year obtained by MyRye.com detailed a chronic manpower shortage in the police department (see STATE REPORT: Rye Police Staffing Shortages Fuel Overtime Surge, Strain Department). The fire department has been on a multi year transition from a part volunteer to a full time paid staff. The Local 2029 fire department union maintains additional staff beyond the one new fire fighter is needed to meet national standards.
See:
- City of Rye Citizens Budget Report FY 2026
- City of Rye 2026 Tentative Budget
- City of Rye 2026 Budget Presentation
