The five fire districts that protect local communities will hold public hearings on their 2026 proposed budgets in two weeks.
Below is a rundown of the budgets proposed in each of the area’s fire districts, with links to the budget documents posted on the Riverhead Town Clerk’s website (the Southampton Town Clerk’s website for Flanders Fire Department) and hearing information for each district.
By state law, fire districts are required to hold public hearings on their proposed budgets for the upcoming year during the third week of October.
Riverhead Fire District
Riverhead Fire District has proposed a $6.25 million operating budget for 2026, an increase of $133,635 over 2025.
The district anticipates a real property tax levy of just under $5.69 million to cover expenditures, after application of estimated revenues of $211,417 and appropriated general fund balance of $355,198. The projected 2026 tax levy is $130,000 more than the 2025 tax levy, according to the 2025 adopted budget. The district’s published notice does not state the apportionment of the tax levy among the three towns in which the district lies: RIverhead, Brookhaven and Southampton.
The budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at Riverhead Fire Department Headquarters, 540 Roanoke Avenue, Riverhead.
Jamesport Fire Department
Jamesport Fire District has proposed a $1.3 million operating budget for 2026, an increase of $37,531 over 2025.
The district anticipates a real property tax levy of just over $1.1 million to cover expenditures, after application of estimated revenues of $137,997.
The budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 7:30 p.m. at the Jamesport Fire Department Headquarters, 25 Manor Lane, Jamesport.
Wading River Fire District
The Wading River Fire District has proposed a $5.2 million operating budget for 2026, an increase of $110,510 over the 2025 adopted budget.
The district anticipates a real property tax levy of just under $4.6 million to cover expenditures, after application of estimated revenues of $670,000.
The projected 2026 tax levy is $89,460 more than the 2025 tax levy, according to the 2025 adopted budget. The Wading River Fire District straddles portions of both Riverhead and Brookhaven towns. The apportioned property tax to be levied in Riverhead Town in 2026 is $2.7 million (59% of the total tax levy).
The budget hearing will take place on Monday, Oct. 20 at 5:45 p.m. at Wading River Fire District Headquarters, 1503 North Country Road,Wading River.
Manorville Fire District
The Manorville Fire District has proposed a $2.4 million operating budget for 2026, an increase of $85,971 over the 2025 adopted budget.
Additional information about the proposed budget, including the proposed district tax levy was not available on the Manorville Fire Department website or on the websites of the Riverhead Town Clerk or the Brookhaven Town Clerk. The district straddles the two towns.
The budget hearing will take place on Monday, Oct. 20 at 7 p.m. at Manorville Fire Department. 14 Silas Carter Road, Manorville.
Flanders Fire District
The Flanders Fire District has proposed an operating budget of $884,915 for 2026, a $45,339 increase over 2025.
The district anticipates a real property tax levy of $704,915 next year, a $15,339 increase over the current year.
The budget hearing will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 21 at 6 p.m. at the Flanders Fire Department, 19 Firehouse Lane, Flanders.
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