The Hempstead Town Board plans to raise taxes by 12.1 percent for next year’s budget, the biggest tax hike since the state’s tax cap was implemented in 2011.
The plan would increase the town’s spending from $522.5 million to just under $550 million and would increase the town’s tax levies from $346.8 million to $389 million.
The state’s property tax cap limits the annual growth of property taxes levied by local governments and school districts to 2 percent or the rate of inflation, whichever is less. The tax levy cannot exceed the cap unless 60 percent of voters or 60 percent of the total voting power of the governing body approves such an increase.
The town will hold two public hearings Tuesday at Hempstead Town Hall on removing the tax cap and approving the 2025 budget.
The Bellmore-Merrick Democratic Club will host a rally opposing the removal of the cap at 1:30 p.m., ahead of the 2:30 p.m. hearing.
“The Town of Hempstead is secretly enacting a 12 percent tax increase, an outrageous breach of the state’s 2 percent tax cap,” the club said on a flyer about the rally. “Despite sending out 38 self-praising mailers this year, not one mentioned the tax increase.”
There will be another hearing at 7 p.m., followed by a vote from the town board on the proposed budget.
“12% tax increase is outrageous,” Nassau County Young Democrats said on Facebook. “MAGA Republicans in the Town of Hempstead continue to show that they have no idea how to manage your hard-earned money! It took Chris Schneider mere weeks to massively hike your taxes!”
Kevan Abrahams, a Democrat running against Councilman Chris Schneider, a Republican representing the 5th District, said in a Newsday interview that the proposed tax hike is unnecessary and not warranted. He said town residents are already struggling to pay for their groceries, gas and utility fees.
Donald Clavin, supervisor of the Town of Hempstead, called the town budget of $549.1 million “fiscally responsible” in a letter included in the budget proposal.
“I am extremely proud that we have not only been able to take them in stride, but also deliver significant relief to taxpayers,” Clavin said in the letter. “Under my stewardship during this time, the Town has a clear record of either freezing or cutting taxes for four consecutive years, and as residents across the Town continue to tighten their belts during this difficult and volatile national economy, every opportunity to save is more important now than ever before.”
Brian Devine, spokesman for the town, said the town has aggressively controlled costs that are within its discretion, while employing cost-saving measures to offset the impact of increases in the costs of unfunded state-mandates.
“In fact, the proposed 2025 spending plan pares down the Town’s workforce, saving taxpayers $16.6 million in payroll and associated costs,” Devine said. “Modest positive adjustments to certain budgeted amounts are included in the 2025 proposal.
Devine said the town looks forward to continuing to craft budgets that provide for the finest municipal services at the lowest possible cost.
