Town of Huntington Approves 2016 Budget

The Town of Huntington’s proposed 2016 budget of $188,663,991 was approved at a Town Board meeting on Thursday.

The budget includes no new initiates and will remain within the state’s tax cap. The proposed budget was presented by Supervisor Frank P. Petrone in September.

“This was a difficult budget to put together, given the limitations of the tax cap and increases in costs such as health insurance,” Petrone said in a press release, “But I am pleased that we were able to maintain services and programs our residents want and have come to expect.”

A few budget highlights include:

• The budget projects a slight decrease in the Town workforce.
• Overall spending is projected to decrease by 0.2 percent.
• There would be a 1.3 percent increase in the overall property tax levy. The increase for the average Town homeowner is projected at $29.16.
• The Highway budget would increase by $1.9 million. (due to costs from last winter)
• A $15 million capital budget would add improvements to the Town’s infrastructure. For example: rehabilitation of plants and pump stations in the Dix Hills Water District and headworks improvements in the Huntington Sewer District. Funding is also included for road rehabilitation, drainage infrastructure and paving.
• There would be little to no increases in other major Town funds and spending would decrease in some special districts.
• There would be salary freezes for all elected officials and appointed and management personnel. At Thursday’s meeting, the Town approved a Management Plan that would outline various benefits for appointed and management personnel and would also set parameters for items such as leave time and medical contributions.
• The Town will follow through with previous initiatives including construction of Sweet Hollow and Burrs Lane Parks and design and initial construction for the James D. Conte Community Center at the former Huntington Armory.