Islip Residents Could Pay About $6 More Per Month Under Proposed Budget

ISLIP, NY — Islip Town officials unveiled a proposed 2026 budget that aims to balance rising costs with preserving the services residents rely on every day.

The $288.9 million spending plan represents a 3.71 percent increase from last year’s $278.5 million budget. Under the proposal, the average homeowner would pay about $72.77 more per year, or roughly $6 a month, to help fund local services such as road maintenance, recreation, and public safety.

Supervisor Angie Carpenter said the increase is driven largely by new employee contracts, a roughly 10 percent rise in health and retirement costs, and a 75 percent spike in insurance premiums.

“To remain compliant with the state’s tax cap, we would have needed to eliminate nearly $8.8 million from the budget,” Carpenter said in a statement. “Doing so would have required significant reductions to staff and essential services—something we are working hard to avoid.”

Town officials said the plan maintains staffing levels, avoids layoffs, and sustains key programs, including road maintenance, recreation, and public safety initiatives. Without the increase, they warned, of the reduction or elimination of part-time positions that support recreation and community programs, up to 60 full-time employees could face job losses, and infrastructure improvements could be delayed.

“While we continue to seek efficiencies and creative solutions, this budget represents a responsible path forward that preserves the services residents rely on every day,” Carpenter said. “We’re investing in our employees, maintaining public safety, and ensuring that [Islip] remains a great place to live, work, and raise a family.”

By the Numbers: Islip’s 2026 Proposed Budget

• Total budget: $288.9 million
• Increase from 2025: +3.71 percent ($10.4 million)
• Average homeowner impact: $72.77 per year, about $6 per month

Major cost drivers:

• New employee contracts
• Health and retirement benefits up 10 percent
• Insurance premiums up 75 percent

Avoided cuts:

• Up to $8.8 million in reductions
• Potential loss of 60 full-time jobs