Bellport Village to adopt tax cap resolution

The Bellport Village board plans to adopt a resolution tonight allowing the panel to pierce the state tax cap, Mayor Raymond Fell said.

Village officials expect to adopt a 2014-15 budget in April that will raise taxes more than 2 percent, Fell said in an interview. He said he could not estimate how much taxes would go up next year.

“Where it will come in, I don’t know, but it will not come in under 2 percent,” he said.

State law limits tax levy increases to 2 percent, excluding expenses such as pension payments and legal settlements.

The village budget, currently about $4.5 million, is expected to go up next year due to increased payroll costs and capital improvements, Fell said. About 12 unionized village employees are due a 2.25 percent raise next year, he said.

The village also plans to paint Village Hall and install a new roof at the community center, Fell said.

The village also must make a $28,000 payment next year on a Highway Department truck leased for $145,000, he said.