Southold Town to hike spending 3% in 2026 budget

Southold Town’s tentative 2026 budget will boost spending 3% to fund infrastructure and technology upgrades without piercing the state tax cap, officials said.

Supervisor Al Krupski released the $64.2 million spending plan on Oct. 3. If approved, the average homeowner’s town tax bill would rise $64 next year.

“It’s always hard to limit spending, because there are always demands for more services, more staffing, more equipment,” Krupski said in an interview. “Everything costs so much money, from technology to trucks, so it’s really a matter of trying to find a balance.”

Under the proposal, the tax levy would rise about 3% from $43.6 million to $44.9 million. While the state’s tax cap limits increases to 2%, the actual cap can vary due to inflation rates and a formula based on each town’s finances, officials said.

After piercing the tax cap with a 7.48% increase last year, Krupski said he strived to keep costs down despite inflationary pressures.

“Last year was more of a trauma. This year, we found a better balance,” he said.

Councilman Greg Doroski said last year’s tax increase was “making up for lost ground” after the 2024 budget kept taxes flat.

“This budget, just from what I’ve learned so far, really puts us on firmer financial footing going forward,” he said at an Oct. 3 meeting.

Krupski attributed some of the increases to “unfunded state mandates,” including employee payroll, retirement and health care costs. Despite that, the supervisor wrote in a letter to residents  he’s “committed to not letting the town get rundown, either in appearance or function.”

The spending plan earmarks $1.93 million for road paving projects, and $500,000 for sidewalk repairs and drainage improvements.

It would also fund townwide technology initiatives including server upgrades, new financial software and other IT costs that Krupski said will make town government more efficient and secure.

The budget also includes $272,000 for new police cars and keeps staffing levels at 57 officers. Krupski said four police cars need to be replaced annually.

“They’re used constantly, they’re running constantly and need to be replaced on a regular schedule,” he said.

Councilwoman Jill Doherty, one of two Republicans on the  six-member board, said she still needed to review the details but wants to see more spending on police and public safety.

“I would like to add another officer to our realm because we have Fishers Island now,” Doherty said in an interview. “It will add $100,000 to the budget, but I think that is so important.”

The town police department began patrolling the remote island, which is part of Southold though only accessible by ferry from Connecticut, in 2023 after state troopers vacated the post.

Krupski’s proposal also includes 2% salary hikes for all elected officials, including the supervisor and town board, town justices, trustees, assessors, the tax receiver, highway superintendent and town clerk. The supervisor's salary would rise from $126,963 to $129,502 and town board members would see an increase from $43,500 to $44,370 under the proposal.

The Town Board could still tweak the budget and set several public sessions to review the budget. Public hearings on the spending plan are set for 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. on Nov. 5. The town has until Nov. 20 to approve next year’s budget.