Lindenhurst budget OKd, sticks to tax cap

The Village of Lindenhurst has approved its budget, sticking to the state-mandated 2 percent property tax cap.

The 2012-13 budget is $10.9 million, a 1.4 percent increase from the previous year’s budget of $10.7 million. The total tax levy is rising 2.3 percent, but stays within the tax cap becaue of state credits for certain exempted pension increases, village administrator clerk-treasurer Shawn Cullinane said. He said pension costs have risen 14 percent for the village this year, while assessed valuations have dipped 0.3 percent and mortgage revenue continues to decline.

“There’s not a lot of growth, so unfortunately, it comes back to the taxpayer,” Cullinane said.

The garbage fee for a one-family home is increasing from $197 to $202. Cullinane said the average overall tax increase to homeowners will be between $15 and $30.

Last month, the village passed a law allowing it to exceed the tax cap if necessary.