The Southampton Town Board adopted the 2019 Budget that continues to reduce taxes while making necessary infrastructure improvements and meeting growing demands. This is the third consecutive tax reduction made by Supervisor Jay Schneiderman since taking office and it reflects conservative financial practices protecting taxpayers’ dollars while assuring the Town maintains its strong financial position with credit rating agencies.
Some of the highlights of the 2019 Adopted Budget include:
- 1% property tax rate reduction
- $23 million debt reduction
- Infrastructure and facilities improvements
- Increase in available Highway funding
- “Pay as you go” fund increase
- “Green” cost saving projects funding
- Four new staff positions
- Business Management reorganization
- Funding for Tick Borne Illness Study
- Funding for “Last Mile” of South Fork Commuter Connection
The 2019 Adopted Budget also includes funding to support several capital projects including improvements to the Ponquogue Beach Pavilion, Hot Dog Beach,Good Ground Park, Old Ponquogue Bridge, Shinnecock Maritime Park, Riverside Maritime/Pedestrian Trail, Tiana Life Saving Station and the Lobster Inn Marina. It also includes funding to purchase the Hampton Bays Community Center and to replace the heating and ventilation system at Town Hall.
“I want to thank Comptroller Len Marchese and his staff for their assistance in preparing this budget,” said Supervisor Jay Schneiderman. “I also want to thank Deputy Supervisor Frank Zappone and Department Heads who continue to efficiently manage their departments.”
Some important programs were added to the preliminary budget that had no impact on the 1 percent tax rate reduction. Those programs in the final adopted budget include, an additional $340,000.00 in bonds for the beach re-nourishment plan for the North Sea Erosion District sponsored by Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni and the reorganization of staffing that creates the Department of Human Resources and transfers some duties into the newly formed Department of Housing and Community Services sponsored by Councilman John Bouvier. The new spending plan also includes $20,000.00 for a Tick Borne Illness Study, $8,100.00 for increased use of the firefighting training burn center at Jackson Avenue in Hampton Bays, and $50,000.00 for the South Fork Commuter Connection last mile service, all sponsored by Councilman Tommy John Schiavoni.
