Hearing for 2025 town budget and tax cap override scheduled for Nov. 7 at 2 p.m.

The Town Board has set a public hearing for Nov. 7 at 2 p.m. on the town’s proposed 2025 operating budget and on a local law required to override the state-imposed tax levy limit. 

Supervisor Tim Hubbard, in his tentative budget, has proposed a 7.92% increase in the property tax levy for all three town-wide funds — the general fund, highway fund and street-lighting district — bringing the total taxes collected to just under $56.8 million. If adopted, it would be the largest tax levy increase since the state imposed the tax levy cap, which took effect in 2012.

To adopt a budget that exceeds the tax levy cap, the Town Board must pass a local law with a supermajority vote — which in the case of the five-member Riverhead Town Board is four votes. 

Read more about Hubbard’s budget here: Hubbard proposes 2025 budget, with $4.1 town-wide spending increase and 7.9% tax levy hike, piercing cap

The increase to the tax levy would increase the tax rate by 7.55%, from $62.319 per $1,000 of assessed value to $67.025 per $1,000 of assessed value. That would result in a residential property in Riverhead with a market value of $720,000 (an assessed value of roughly $60,000) paying $292 more in property taxes per year towards those three funds, according to town officials. 

In addition to the taxes for the three town-wide funds, taxpayers will see increases under the cap to cover rising spending for other expenses that are not town-wide, such as the garbage and refuse district, which will see an increase of roughly $66 per year.

Hubbard said that he refused to cut expenditures in the budget for essential town equipment and services. No changes to Hubbard’s budget have been proposed by board members since it was unveiled.

The budget plan would also give the town’s elected officials raises, a decision that two residents criticized during last night’s Town Board meeting. Another resident wrote a letter to the board criticizing the raises. 

The raises proposed for elected officials are:

Claudette Bianco of Baiting Hollow said residents were “chastised” at a meeting last month for objecting to a proposal to build a resort and spa on Sound Avenue because of the need for a larger tax base. 

“It was a bit disingenuous to have expressed that sentiment and then turn around and give yourselves an enormous salary increase,” Bianco said. “No one would have begrudged you for an increase within the rate of inflation, but 8% at the same time you’re asking for a budget-busting increase of 8% on the tax line? The residents don’t get that kind of raise, whether we’re working or retired,” she said.

“And some of the budget items are absolutely necessary — one example is the need for additional police,” Bianco said. “But this board has been spending money like drunken sailors without giving an iota of thought to what it would cost the residents. The political capital you may have gained is completely erased by this budget. I urge you to reconsider and recommend a budget the residents can approve of.”

Hubbard said that elected officials’ salaries have “fallen so far behind in all the years because there have not been raises.” He said the last time the supervisor’s position received a raise was in 2009. (The supervisor received an only $1 raise in 2009, according to town records; the last significant raise was in 2008.) “That’s a long time ago. I don’t know anybody in the public sector that worked from 2009 or makes the same salary today that they made in 2009. It just doesn’t happen.”

“If you go back to 2009 and come to 2024 and figure the number of years divided by the 8% it’s a half percent increase for each year,” Hubbard said. ”So anybody who’s got a problem with a half percent increase, I’m sorry, but that’s that’s the way it is.”

“And the same thing goes for my board members. They hadn’t had an increase, I believe since 2015,” Hubbard said. The last time board members received a salary increase was 2012, according to town records.

“We took this very seriously when we did it. We did comparisons to other towns around us and we were way below — way, way below. And even though the board members are listed as part time employees, you won’t find one of them here that’s a part time employee,” Hubbard said.

“So in reality, I get it — and I understand what people are saying — but they just need to have a little bit more facts in their back pocket before they shout out some of these comments,” he said.

Ron Hariri of Aquebogue said Bianco’s reference to drunken sailors is actually an insult to the Navy. And with all due respect, Supervisor Hubbard, in these tough economic times it should be noted, in addition to the $150,000 salary and benefits you receive as supervisor, you also receive a substantial six-figure pension.” (Note: The supervisor’s salary is $115,148.)

“Oh, that’s right, Ron. Because I worked 32 years for the police department. You’re right, I forgot about that,” Hubbard said flippantly.

“It is disrespectful to the people of our town under these economic circumstances,” Hariri said.