Smithtown's $99.4-million budget OK'd with no tax hikes
The Smithtown Town Board Thursday approved the supervisor's $99.4-million budget, which will not raise taxes for residents.
About $5 million in reserve funds will be used to offset $3.3 million in spending increases, including pensions and health care costs, as well as a $300,000 loss of tax revenue because of reassessment, Supervisor Patrick Vecchio said.
The town plans to bond out about $2 million in mandatory capital projects. Proposed general fund taxes will decrease by about $31 for the average home assessed at $6,000, essentially balanced by a similar rise in highway fund taxes.
Savings were also found by not filling jobs and delaying promotions, Vecchio said at the time he released the budget.
But before the meeting, two councilmen, Robert Creighton and Kevin Malloy, said the staff is so lean, any further cuts in some areas could mean cuts in services.
Newsday Investigates: Girl was absent, late in half the school days in months before death ... University says hazing victim responsible for own injuries ... Crossing the Island in one day on public transportation ... Let's Go: Catskill Mountain Railroad
Newsday Investigates: Girl was absent, late in half the school days in months before death ... University says hazing victim responsible for own injuries ... Crossing the Island in one day on public transportation ... Let's Go: Catskill Mountain Railroad
