Photo: Unsplash
A Smithtown home assessed at 5,500 would face about $117.65 more in town taxes next year under the town’s proposed 2027 budget, an increase of 6.44% for the average assessed home.
The town’s tentative budget puts about $23.12 of the increase, or 1.4%, down to a court-ordered LIPA tax shift. Roughly $94, or about 5%, is attributable to the rest of the town budget.
Benefits, salaries and waste costs drive the plan
The proposal raises overall spending about 5.5%. The town attributes the increase mainly to state-mandated costs and contractual obligations rather than new programs.
The budget message lists $1.9 million more in NYSHIP health insurance costs, a 10.33% increase; $792,043 in required state retirement contributions, up 10.12%; $300,000 from state-enacted Tier 6 retirement changes; and $1.87 million in full-time salaries, primarily under existing collective bargaining agreements. Rising solid waste and waste-to-energy costs add $410,000.
A chance for residents to weigh in
The Town Board holds a public hearing on the preliminary budget Thursday, November 12, at 7 p.m. at the Eugene Cannataro Senior Citizens Center, 420 Middle Country Road, Smithtown. Residents may speak for or against the budget or any item in it.
The document is available for inspection at the Town Clerk’s office, 99 West Main Street, between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m., and on the town’s website.
The $149.4 million plan is up from $141.4 million, with the tax levy rising 5.87%. A board vote on the budget is expected November 19.
JBizNews Desk | Long Island
© JBizNews.com. All rights reserved. Unauthorized reproduction or redistribution is strictly prohibited.
