Mineola’s village board approved a $29 million budget with a 1.95% tax levy increase during its Wednesday, April 15 meeting.
The budget is $501,834 over last year’s adopted budget, a 1.72% increase.
Village Treasurer Giacomo Ciccone said New York State retirement contributions and health and medical insurance were among the largest reasons for expense increases.
He said the MTA payroll tax decrease will result in $30,500 in expenses. He said pension costs will increase by $100,000, and health and medical insurance by $160,000.
“The payroll tax for municipalities has finally been taken off the books,” Mayor Paul Pereira said. “That’s great, $30,000, we’ll take it.” He said there are several higher expenses the village cannot control.
The 1.95% levy increase, which is below the tax cap, accounts for $291,064 over last year’s budget.
Pereira pointed out money-saving measures, such as more efficient parking meters and higher permit request rates.
He said about 50% of revenue comes from the tax levy, with the remaining coming from state aid, permits, fees, fines and other revenues.
He said that village portions of tax bills go to sanitation, recreation, snow removal, public works and other village services.
“From that, you get all the services that we talk about all the time,” he said. “I think we do a lot with that portion of your tax bills.”
Source: LI Press
