Villages pass laws to exceed tax cap

The villages of Upper Brookville and Matinecock have passed local laws permitting their respective officials to exceed the state’s 2 percent cap on property tax levy increases.

Upper Brookville leaders on Tuesday voted, 3-0, with two trustees absent, for the authority to override the cap, if necessary.

“We are doing our due diligence to stay at or below the 2 percent,” said Mayor Terry Thielen.

The village’s fiscal year begins June 1.

Though a tentative budget was accepted Tuesday by the board, with expenditures estimated at $3.26 million, revenue has not yet been calculated and the tax rate has not yet been set, said trustee Michael Schwerin.

Final budget numbers depend on several factors, including Nassau County’s assessed valuation of Upper Brookville properties — which would in turn dictate how much the village pays for its share of Old Brookville police services, he said.

Matinecock’s board of trustees adopted a similar law Tuesday with a 7-0 vote, also citing expenses associated with Old Brookville police protection, village attorney Peter MacKinnon said yesterday.

“Based upon the projection of police costs, the village probably will exceed the 2 percent cap,” he said, calling the local law a “precautionary measure.”

Matinecock’s fiscal year also begins June 1.