Port Jeff Village Votes to Approve Tax Levy Increase

Port Jefferson village trustees voted to approve a tax levy increase above the 2 percent cap mandated by the state on Monday night, according to a story in Newsday. The proposed increase is estimated to be about 6.3 percent as discussed in the public board meeting on March 5.

According to the report, a third of Long Island's villages have approved measures to peirce the tax cap.

Treasurer Don Pearce introduced a $9.7 million proposed budget this month, an 11 percent increase over last year. The board is looking to trim costs but increases in .

The first is a $5.5 million voter approved roadway repair bond that the village must begin paying back. A $325,000 principal and interest payment on the bond will roll into next year’s budget.

The village will also have to begin paying for its own snow and ice removal as of next winter. In the past, that expense was reimbursed by Brookhaven Town but will now cost the village about $140,000 per year.

A public hearing on the budget will be held on April 16.

To read the entire article about the vote to increase the tax levy, head over to Newsday's website here (subscription required).