NEW ROCHELLE, NY (December 12, 2025) — The New Rochelle City Council adopted a $256 million budget for fiscal year 2026 on Dec. 9, 2025, that stays within the state tax cap and, for the first time in more than 10 years, does not draw on the city’s unassigned fund balance.
“We’re looking forward to a new year of continued progress for New Rochelle,” Wilfredo Melendez, New Rochelle city manager, said in a statement. “Our team has made a number of adjustments to ensure the services and programs that residents enjoy remain intact, while prioritizing the long-term wellbeing of our City.”
The 2026 capital budget includes $24.3 million for infrastructure and equipment, highlighted by $10 million for the third year of the city’s 10-year flood mitigation program, $3.6 million for citywide roadway paving, and more than $1 million for Phase One of the Pinebrook Boulevard Complete Streets project.
Other major capital items include $2.1 million to replace Engine 22 for the New Rochelle Fire Department, $2.6 million for new public works vehicles including sanitation and dump trucks, street lighting and traffic-calming improvements, planting of 300 new trees under the Community Forest Management Plan, enhancements at Ward Acres Park, and property acquisition for a new municipal parking lot in the West End.
The operating budget preserves resident services such as the free all-electric CircuitNR shuttle, free transportation for children attending city summer camps, senior programming, the Summer Youth Employment Program that hires 500 young people, and the Downtown Summer Sizzle Concert Series at Ruby Dee Park.
Public safety investments include expanded police e-bike, bicycle, and foot patrols, conversion of the Ruby Dee Kiosk into a dedicated police outpost, and funding for an additional 24-hour ambulance.
The adopted budget also launches the THRIVE Non-Profit Grant Program to support local nonprofits and introduces participatory budgeting that allows residents to directly decide how a portion of public funds will be spent.
The plan keeps the city’s GreeNR sustainability initiative as a core priority while maintaining existing service levels.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.