North Hempstead Town Board adopts $143 million budget, keeps tax levy flat but draws on reserves

North Hempstead Town Board adopted a $143 million budget for next year that keeps the tax levy flat but draws on $16 million in reserves.

The board approved the spending plan by a 7-0 vote Tuesday night. The budget represents a 3.8% increase from last year's. The tax levy will remain at $42.9 million for the second straight year. 

Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said in a statement that the budget "reflects the taxpayer-first culture we've built in Town government."

"At a time when families are feeling the pressure of rising costs and affordability is a real concern, we're keeping a check on taxes," DeSena said, adding the budget "provides the top-notch services residents have come to rely on."

Democrats have criticized the town's use of reserve funds, which has increased in recent years. The town used $10 million in reserves in 2026, and $6.7 million in 2025. 

Robert Troiano, a Democratic councilman, said during the meeting that he had "reservations about the extensive use of reserves." 

"This is the supervisor's budget, and if this is what she wants to do, this is what she thinks is best for the town, I'm going to give her her budget," Troiano said.

DeSena, a registered Democrat who caucuses with Republicans, won reelection last week against Democrat Sean McCarthy with 51.11% of the vote, according to the Board of Elections.

Oyster Bay Town passed a $366.7 million budget for next year that includes a 3.1% tax jump and draws on $5 million in reserves. Hempstead Town's $591.7 million budget, passed last month, uses $30.4 million in reserves and keeps the tax levy flat. 

By Joshua Needelman

joshua.needelman@newsday.com

Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.