Exemptions let Suffolk hike property taxes

Exemptions for pension increases and other costs could allow Suffolk County to raise property taxes by as much as 5 percent next year without violating the state's 2-percent property tax cap, legislative budget analysts said.

Suffolk government could raise property taxes as much as 5 percent next year and still comply with the law.

The legislature's Office of Budget Review Tuesday held a briefing on the new tax cap for budget committee members, who expressed surprise at the impact of the exemptions.

Gail Vizzini, director of the legislature's Office of Budget Review, told lawmakers that the 2 percent tax cap permits the county an $11.4 million property tax increase next year. That's based on a 2 percent increase in the total tax levies of all the county's funds. They include the general fund, community college fund and the sewer fund that covers residents of the county's 22 sewer districts.

The cap will first affect the 2012 county budget.

Vizzini said exemption of a portion of Suffolk's $48 million spike in state pension costs next year will allow the county to add an estimated $17.7 million to the tax increase. Legislative budget analysts also say the county has the discretion to apply the property tax increases to whatever funds it chooses and is not required to cap each at 2 percent.

However, Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches) said the public may be confused by differing tax increases in various funds. "The cap should apply to each district," he said, "If you evade that . . . you're making a big mistake."

Deputy County Executive Kenneth Crannell called the voluminous new law "very complicated," and said his office is awaiting new state rules on implementing the cap before filing the budget in mid-September.

Crannell also warned about provisions in the bill that could increase county costs.

Under one provision, which once only affected upstate municipalities with a population of less than 10,000, Suffolk will now be liable for part of the training costs for new police officers who previously had worked in other municipalities.