2027 budget tax increase

A lifelong resident and business owner, he quoted past board statements on fiscal responsibility and urged the board to publish the cost of the six-year lifetime health benefit before adopting the 18% hike.

An 83-year-old Dix Hills retiree of 50+ years, he asked whether the 18% applied to his whole tax bill and was told it applies only to the town's line (~7% of the total).

Called the 18% increase 'egregious,' said no middle option was presented between 2.68% and 18%, questioned the ReWorld contract extension without bidding, and asked the board to adopt within the cap or cut their own salaries proportionally.

A 36-year resident, she said she was outraged at the 18% hike, questioned the supervisor's office budget vs. Smithtown's, and cited the $85,000 SUV and lifetime health benefits as non-essential spending.

A homeowner of one year, he called the cap-or-18% framing a false choice, cited his rising assessment, promoted his website huntingtonbudget.com, and asked for a middle ground.

A lifelong resident, she rejected the 'false narrative' of cap-or-cuts, cited 30% appointee raises, expanded deputy director health benefits and 100%+ overtime overruns, and urged a compromise budget.