Huntington to hold hearing on law allowing state tax cap override

Town of Huntington officials will hold a public hearing on Tuesday to consider adopting a local law to allow an override of the state mandated tax levy limit.

Town Supervisor Frank Petrone is testing the idea of a 2017 budget that exceeds the state tax cap because he said state mandated increases exceed the increases allowed by the cap. 

The tax cap, which first applied to local governments in 2012, limits tax levy increases to the lesser of the rate of inflation or 2 percent, with some exceptions for new growth in the community or significant additions to existing properties. The cap can be overridden by a “supermajority” - 60 percent - vote either by a governing local board or, in the case of school-district budgets, voters.

Petrone said a budget that pierces the cap would cost homeowners from $18 to $30 annually. The budget needs to be presented by Sept. 30.

Petrone said there would be major consequences if a budget is adopted that does not pierce the cap, including possible personnel reductions, loss of unmandated things like youth programs and arts programs. 

The meeting is at 7 p.m. at town hall, 100 Main St.