Brookhaven Town Board passes budget, hiking property taxes an average of $18 a month

The Brookhaven Town Board last week unanimously passed a 2025 budget that raises the town portion of the average homeowner’s bill by $18 a month, or $216 for the year.

Town supervisor Daniel J. Panico at the Nov. 19 board meeting called the budget “a very conservative and very realistic budget.” Other municipalities on Long Island have also increased taxes.

The $361.2 million spending plan for the year starting Jan. 1 keeps services at current levels and increases spending on code enforcement and quality-of-life issues. It also takes into account state-mandated increases in what the town pays for employee health care and pensions.

The budget also factors in lower revenue expected from the town landfill, which is slated to stop accepting construction and demolition debris by the end of this year and close in 2028. The budget adds $1.2 million to a post-closure reserve fund. The additional $1.2 million brings the reserve fund to $26.7 million.

At $155.4 million, salaries and benefits for the town’s more than 800 employees are the largest share of the town budget.

Brookhaven has 872 employees currently, which the town expects to decrease to 850 in 2025 thanks to an incentive program the town implemented.

Town spending accounts for a small portion of the homeowners’ total tax bill. It accounts for 5.72 percent for those living outside villages and 3.78 percent for village residents.