Lindenhurst board OKs village budget with 4.6 percent tax hike

Lindenhurst Village Hall is shown on March 12, 2018. Credit: Newsday/Alejandra Villa
The Lindenhurst board of trustees has approved a new budget that raises taxes above the state cap.
The board on Jan. 8 unanimously approved the 2019-20 budget of $14,347,985. The budget represents a 6.4 percent increase over last year’s budget of $13,488,025 and raises taxes by 4.6 percent. A single-family home with an average assessed value of $4,000 will see an annual property tax increase of about $34.
The village is also increasing the single-family home sanitation fee by $13 from $215 to $228. In total, the increases raise all village taxes and charges by nearly $47 or, 4.9 percent, for the year.
The vote to approve the budget came after a public hearing during which about a half-dozen residents raised questions about line items in the budget. Among the topics raised were the budget’s two largest spending increases: Principal and interest on capital leases, which rose from $44,965 to $257,400, and the fire department’s $180,390 budget increase.
The capital increase is largely related to five pieces of heavy equipment that are being leased at an interest rate of nearly 4 percent for five years, resulting in an annual payment of $108,770. Village Administrator Doug Madlon said the leasing is a financial “washout” over buying, but the village saves money in repairs on the vehicles because of their warranties and can purchase them for $1 after the leases end.
The fire department increase is mostly due to salaries for new EMTs, which village officials said is necessary because of an increase in emergency calls.
Can't find a seat on the LIRR? ... Uniondale basketball star ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV
Can't find a seat on the LIRR? ... Uniondale basketball star ... Get the latest news and more great videos at NewsdayTV