The Town of Brookhaven’s operating budget would rise by 7 percent next year under the budget proposed by supervisor Dan Panico.
If approved by the Brookhaven Town Council, 2025 spending would increase to $361.2 million, up from $337.4 million this year.
The approximately $24 million increase comes as Brookhaven braces for a significant drop in revenue from the town landfill.
The landfill, which is a significant revenue source, will stop accepting construction and demolition debris at the end of the year and is expected to close entirely in early 2028.
In a letter presenting the budget to the town council, Panico described the proposed spending plan as “a realistic and fiscally conservative budget.” He cited increased costs for employee health care and higher pension contributions because of state mandates, as among the reasons for the spending increase.
Town residents would see about a $13 per year increase for trash collection and recycling to $401.33 per household.
The town council is slated to vote at its meeting on Nov. 7 whether to raise taxes by more than the state’s 2 percent cap.
If the board votes to do so, Brookhaven won’t be the only town on Long Island to exceed the cap.
The Hempstead Town Board recently approved a 12.1 percent tax hike. Babylon’s Town Board is considering a nearly 10 percent increase, and Riverhead is looking at a nearly 8 percent increase, according to published reports.
The supervisor and six town council members would see a 3 percent salary increase under the proposed budget, with the supervisor’s salary rising to $173,040 and salaries for the six town council members rising to $100,940.
The receiver of taxes, highway superintendent and town clerk would also see increases.
Town taxes account for less than 6 percent of the overall property tax bill for Brookhaven residents living outside Patchogue and other villages, and less than 4 percent for village residents. The largest share goes to funding schools and libraries.
The public will get a chance to weigh in on the proposed budget at a hearing set for the town board meeting on Nov. 7. The deadline for the town council to adopt the budget is Nov. 20.
Comments
No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here