Brookhaven approves $302.4M budget for 2019

The Brookhaven Town Board Tuesday night approved a $302.4 million budget for next year with a tax increase officials described as "minimal."

The board voted 7-0 in favor of the plan, which boosts overall spending by about $8 million, or 2.9 percent.

The budget had aroused no public controversy. In fact, the only three town residents who spoke at a Nov. 12 town board public hearing all said they supported it.

The largest share of the spending increase is related to $5.4 million in salary increases for the town's unionized employees. The employees are due a 2.36 percent raise next year.

The budget also includes increases in town reserve funds for snow removal and closure of the town landfill. The facility is expected to close within a decade due to declining available capacity.

Supervisor Edward P. Romaine has said the 2019 budget does not rely on surpluses to pay expenses. 

Tax increases vary depending on whether homes are located inside or outside villages. Officials have said all tax hikes would be less than the 2-percent maximum increase allowed by the state tax cap. The town did not offer more specific figures on individual property tax increases.

Garbage district fees will remain at $350 per home, and the budget sets aside an additional $3 million for road maintenance, officials said.

In addition to the operating budget, the town board approved a capital budget that includes $60 million in new projects.

By Carl MacGowan

carl.macgowan@newsday.comCarlMacGowan

Carl MacGowan is a Long Island native who covers Brookhaven Town after having previously covered Smithtown, Suffolk County courts and numerous spot news and feature stories over his 20-plus year career at Newsday.