No Surprises in Amagansett; Budget Passes

Amagansett School District voters passed the proposed $10.2 million budget for the upcoming school year, 127-to-25.

Cheryl Bloecker, the district clerk, reported that voters also approved a proposition for new security systems in a 135-to-14 vote. The cost will not exceed $225,000 from the Capital Reserve Fund. 

The two incumbents on the board of education, who ran unopposed, were re-elected. John Hossenlopp received 102 votes, and Victoria Smudzinski garnered 97. 

The approved budget is a 5.68 percent increase, and includes a 3.33 percent tax levy increase. According to the school district, the tax levy increase proposed is the second lowest in the past 12 years. 

Last year, district voters approved piercing the tax cap, by a vote of 252-to-98 for the $9.7 million budget, a 5.21 percent increase in spending and 3.99 percent increase in the tax levy. 

Tax levies that are increased by more than 2 percent, with some exemptions, have to pass by a 60 percent super-majority vote. Amagansett's passed by 72 percent last year. 

The increase this year, however, is within the allowable tax levy cap threshold of 3.45 percent. "Therefore, approval of the tax levy requires a simple majority of those voting," Superintendent Eleanor Tritt wrote in a message to parents explaining the budget. 

Under the proposed budget, property owners with an assessed value of $6,000 will see an increase in school taxes of approximately $50.69 per year, or $4.22 per month. 

The district wants to purchase and install an upgraded public address and intercom system, an entry monitoring and access control system with audio/video capability, a key-less card reader access control system, video cameras, “panic” buttons, visitor management system, upgraded internal door locks, associated electrical and cabling modifications and telephone system integration. 

In 2007, voters approved the creation of a Capital Reserve Fund for purposes that included new security systems. The balance is currently $332,852, according to the district newsletter. 

The Amagansett Library budget also passed 134-to-18.