Babylon Village trustees OK $10.3M budget, freezing taxes

Babylon Village trustees have approved a $10.3 million budget for 2016-17. The budget freezes the property tax levy at $14.93 per $100 of assessed value and keeps the village under the state-imposed levy cap for the second straight year.

Mayor Ralph Scordino and treasurer Valerie Fronzo say the village will likely enter the fiscal year starting June 1 with a $2 million surplus accumulated after a 9.71 percent tax hike in 2013 and after federal cleanup and repair reimbursements this year.

The village board also approved fee increases for solar arrays, occupant load permits, and for professional photographs at Argyle Lake Park, part of what officials say is a broad effort to generate non-tax revenue and bring the village’s fees in line with those of neighboring municipalities.

Solar permits are $300. Fees for occupant load permits, related to the number of people permitted in a public building, are $100.

The permit fee for non-resident professional photographers taking pictures in the park is $100. There is no fee for residents.