Town of North Hempstead's Delayed Budget Vote Passed Monday

NORTH HEMPSTEAD, NY — The Town of North Hempstead's beleaguered budget negotiations ended Monday morning, when the town board reconvened to vote on the proposed 2023 budget. The original budget vote was postponed from last week after errors were found by council members, Councilwoman Veronica Lurvey told Patch.

On Monday, the town board voted unanimously to adopt the budget. In October Supervisor Jennifer DeSena proposed budget amendments that included tax cuts of 11 percent. The Democratic majority on the board abstained from voting on DeSena's amendments last month, saying that they needed more time to review the proposal.

Lurvey's subsequent amendment to the budget included a 5 percent tax cut, which was approved in October.

Lurvey told Blank Slate Media that she thinks the original 11 percent tax cut wasn't fiscally responsible and "essentially guaranteed extreme tax increases in future years. I believe the taxpayers will recognize quality-of-life projects in the form of street paving, road repairs, flood mitigation, caring for trees, and beautification initiatives."

DeSena shared the following statement with Patch:

"Despite repeated attempts by the Democrat majority of the Town Board to bog down the process in needless delays, I am proud to announce that my administration has continued the tradition of previous Supervisors and passed the Town’s 2023 budget prior to Election Day. I was disheartened that the majority council members twice blocked my plan that would have delivered an 11% tax cut for all residents, and instead went ahead with the plan Councilwoman Lurvey offered that presented more taxes in comparison, raised spending, and defunded health care and our Town’s salt and sand budget to pay for it. It’s my sincere hope that next year, the majority council members do not put politics ahead of people as they did throughout this year’s process.”

The adopted budget will be available to the public on the town's website.