The North Hempstead Town Board discussed its still evolving budget for 2019 at a public hearing on Thursday night, touching on topics like the tax cap and sales tax projections.
The $133.3 million budget is composed of the $68.6 million general fund, $37 million town outside village fund (for town services provided outside of village boundaries) and $27.7 million budget for the town’s special districts, which collect taxes only from people serviced by a district.
This translates to a roughly 2.9 percent increase over the current 2018 budget, which is $129.5 million.
Town Supervisor Judi Bosworth described the budget as maintaining current services and a product of mindful budgeting, but also said it is a “living, breathing document” still open to public input.
“Rest assured that no matter what changes are made, the tax levy in the final version of the budget will remain within the state tax cap,” Bosworth said on Thursday.
Councilwoman Anna Kaplan, who represents the 4th District, asked about the projected sales tax increase from $11.5 million currently budgeted to $12.1 million.
Jessica Lamendola, the town’s acting comptroller, said Nassau County has so far given North Hempstead 4.65 percent more in sales tax revenue than in 2017 and similar increases have been seen in other municipalities.
Following a practice of conservative budgeting and using these recorded numbers, Lamendola said the town is assuming 3.5 percent in growth for 2018 over 2017.
“We’re moderately conservative,” Lamendola said. “I think it’s appropriate given our overall revenue mix, our available reserves to offset any sort of significant economic impact.”
A preliminary budget hearing will take place on Thursday, Oct. 25, at 7 p.m. at Town Hall.
In unrelated business, town officials also accepted a $100,000 grant from the New York Dormitory Authority that will go toward restoring the Stepping Stones Lighthouse.
Board members also approved a $28,425 agreement with the Long Island Nets, which will allow the basketball team to use the “Yes We Can” Community Center in New Cassel as its official practice center.
