Bellone Announces Recommended Budget For 2016 Fiscal Year

Suffolk County Executive Steve Bellone recently announced his recommended budget of $2.917 billion for the 2016 fiscal year, which would freeze general fund taxes for the fourth year in a row.

Bellone has been working with East End legislators Jay Schneiderman and Al Krupski, on a plan that would increase revenue sharing with the East End police departments by $1 million per year for three years.

“This budget continues to demonstrate Bellone’s commitment to treating the East End fairly by increasing revenue sharing with all East End police departments by 13 percent,” a press release from Bellone office reads.

This is the second increase.

“This budget continues to move Suffolk County in the right direction by holding the line on taxes, streamlining government and making smart investments in growing our economy,” Bellone said. “The formula for long term fiscal health is simple—hold the line on taxes, control spending, and grow the economy to create good jobs.”

The suggested budget would increase total expenditures by one percent while “protecting and enhancing vital services for Suffolk County residents,” according to the release.

“Because Suffolk County is complying with the New York State tax cap program by both holding the line on taxes and demonstrating operational savings through its Government Efficiency Plan, all county households earning less than $500,000 will receive a dollar-for-dollar rebate, so they will not pay a penny more in taxes,” the release reads.

The proposed budget would increase aid to the individual police department on the East End as follows:

• Town of East Hampton from $796,017 to $900,917
• Town of Riverhead from $1,357,555 to $1,536,455
• Town of Shelter Island from $129,761 to $146,861
• Town of Southampton from $2,238,561 to $2,533,561
• Town of Southold from $1,019,873 to $1,154,273
• Village of East Hampton from $80,436 to $91,036
• Village of Quogue from $51,601 to $58,401
• Village of Sag Harbor from $122,172 to $138,272
• Village of Southampton from $228,409 to $258,509
• Village of Westhampton Beach from $90,301 to $102,201

In addition, the budget would also cover several initiatives such as:

• Partnering with Stony Brook University to create a training program for county employees to improve productivity
• Improving water quality through a federal project
• Investing in programs to prevent crime, tackle opioid epidemic and safely reduce the jail population