North Hempstead files $143M budget, keeps tax levy flat

The Town of North Hempstead has proposed a tentative budget of $143 million for next year, a 3.8% spending increase.

The town also proposed freezing the tax levies it controls at $42.89 million for the second consecutive year. The town will not be cutting any services, Supervisor Jennifer DeSena said in an interview.

"Every dollar matters," DeSena said. "We hear a lot of people talking about affordability. People earn their money and they should keep as much of it as they can."

DeSena, a registered Democrat who caucuses with Republicans, is running for reelection next month against Democratic nominee Sean McCarthy.

DeSena's salary would remain at $133,000 under the tentative budget. Deputy Supervisor Joe Scalero would receive a 3% raise, with his salary rising from $197,676 to $203,606.

Much like Hempstead, which also proposed a tax levy freeze in its tentative budget, North Hempstead was able to maintain services because of savings from a retirement incentive program, Scalero said.

"By doing that, we'll keep the total headcount relatively flat," he said. "But the savings come from starting salaries versus 20- and 30-year salaries."

DeSena said the town would also use some money it has in reserves, as well as increased revenue from the Harbor Links Golf Course, to offset the budget increase. The town could not immediately provide the amount of money it would use from its reserves.

Democratic Councilwoman Mariann Dalimonte during Monday's board meeting questioned why the town had opted against holding a public work session to discuss the budget, as had been the case in previous years.

"Don't we owe it to our residents, as we're voting on it, to be able to ask [questions of] the department heads, the commissioners, yourself?" Dalimonte said. 

DeSena said during the meeting that a work session was not required under state law. 

"We're doing what all the other municipalities do," DeSena said.

The town will hold a budget hearing on Oct. 28. 

By Joshua Needelman

joshua.needelman@newsday.com

Joshua Needelman covers the Town of North Hempstead for Newsday. A Long Island native and University of Maryland graduate, his work has appeared in publications including The New York Times and The Washington Post.