County Executive Edward Romaine submits Suffolk's $4.3 billion budget for 2026 amid economic uncertainty

Suffolk County Executive Edward P. Romaine has proposed a $4.3 billion budget for the upcoming year that will raise taxes and sustain services amid a period of national economic uncertainty.

The budget, which was submitted late Friday to the Republican-controlled Suffolk County Legislature for review, would rise about 5.2% from the current $4 billion. The additional spending is attributed to increased employee benefits, such as state retirement contributions, as well as funding for public safety and social services.

The budget is the second submitted under Romaine, a Republican, since taking office in 2024 and stays within the state-mandated cap on property tax increases. The average homeowner would pay $86 more per year if the budget is passed, or about 6.8%, according to the budget's projected property tax impact.

"This budget is not only about 2026 but about building a county that can be ready to face inevitable challenges from economic shifts to natural disasters," Romaine said in a budget overview to the legislators.

Employee benefits represent the largest chunk of the budget, about 27%, totaling more than $1.1 billion. Pension costs are expected to climb by $20.5 million to $276 million, and medical health plan expenses are expected to rise 12% to $765 million.

Romaine said in a statement the goal is to make the county "safer, stronger and more affordable" and added that the budget provides a balance of "fiscal discipline and forward-thinking investments."

The police budget would increase from $647.9 million in the adopted 2025 budget to $663.1 million. Earlier this year, the county reached a contract agreement with the Suffolk County Police Benevolent Association, the department's largest labor union, that raises officers' base pay by 18% over five years. The county also reached an agreement with the Suffolk County Correction Officers Association that increases base pay by 17.25% over a five-year contract.

Contracts are expected to be finalized this fall for three additional police unions. The county is also in negotiations with the Suffolk Association of Municipal Employees, which ushered in new leadership this summer.

Sales tax growth is expected to remain under 2% for the remainder of this year and 2026 after a surge in spending following the pandemic due to federal stimulus funds. Total sales tax revenue for 2026 — which represents the largest revenue source for the county — is just over $2.05 billion, a slight increase from the current year's estimate of $1.98 billion.

The sales tax growth projects to be "significantly less than the rate of inflation," according to the budget's executive summary. The legislature's Budget Review Office cautioned earlier this year in a review of the county's Multi-Year Financial Plan that stagnant growth in sales tax revenue combined with inflation could lead to "difficult decision in future operating budgets."

Presiding Officer Kevin McCaffrey (R-Lindenhurst) said Saturday he hadn't gotten a chance to review the budget in detail but noted it has "nothing dramatically different" from the current budget. The legislature's Budget Review Office will prepare a report analyzing the budget for legislators in the coming weeks, he said.

McCaffrey said the budget was due to the legislature Friday and delivered on time. He said the legislature will hold hearings on the budget during the week of Oct. 20 where lawmakers and department heads can propose changes and the public can comment.

The legislature votes on adopting the budget at the Nov. 5 general meeting.

Legis. Jason Richberg (D-West Babylon), the minority leader, could not be reached for comment Saturday.

By Joe Werkmeister

joe.werkmeister@newsday.com

Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.

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