Politics & Government
Town Of Islip Approves 2021 Budget With Property Tax Increase
The town board voted Thursday to adopt the new budget, which seeks to cover loss of revenue due to the pandemic.
ISLIP, NY— Islip Town held a virtual budget meeting Thursday morning and officials approved a new budget proposal. The new budget aims to close a shortfall due to lost revenue partly due to the coronavirus pandemic by increasing taxes by 5.83% on the town property portion of homeowners' tax bills.
Supervisor Angie Carpenter told Newsday that the town decided to increase property taxes rather than lay off town employees and close facilities.
During Thursday's Zoom meeting, a caller named Doris from Central Islip asked the board why the town decided to raise taxes instead of cut town programming.
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Carpenter specified the tax increase of 5.8% is only on the tax town portion of residents' bills, equating to an average of $33 more per year for a $400,000 home.
"We would all love not to have a tax increase," Carpenter stated. "We have made every effort to be responsible [and] not kick the can down the road."
Find out what's happening in East Islipfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Carpenter said Islip did not receive any direct federal aid in pandemic assistance.
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