Mineola adopts 2025–26 budget with 1.81% tax-levy increase, board says impact will be small
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Summary
The Mineola Board of Trustees adopted the villagebudget for fiscal year 20252626 2026 with a 1.81% increase in the tax levy, below the statetax cap; trustees and staff highlighted revenue gains and rising pension and insurance costs.
The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees adopted the fiscal year 2025–26 budget at a public hearing and vote Wednesday evening at Village Hall, approving a tax-levy increase of 1.81% while keeping the levy below New York Statethe 2% cap.
Treasurer Giacomo Chacon told the board the budget reflects several revenue increases: an estimated $35,000 more in PILOT payments from two properties (155 First Street and 205 East Second Street); about $185,000 more in interest income after short-term rates rose from roughly 3.5% in February 2024 to about 4.22% in March 2025; $100,000 more in building-permit revenue tied to anticipated commercial permits; and $100,000 more in fines and forfeitures because parking revenues have rebounded. Chacon noted the Harrison Avenue garage revenue is budgeted to increase by $128,000 after NYU Langone Hospital purchased 50 additional parking spaces on top of a prior purchase of 250 spaces.
On the expenditure side, Chacon identified higher costs for liability and fire insurance (up about $181,005) related to newly insured structures and market conditions, a $75,000 increase in pension costs because the New York State retirement system raised its average employer contribution from 15.2% to 16.5% of payroll, and a roughly $40,000 increase in health and medical insurance because NYSHIP rates "have increased between 7 to 10%." He also said line 239 will decrease by $150,000 because additional court cases were resolved in fiscal 2024–25.
Deputy Mayor Debbie Sartore praised the budgetas a balancing act between core services and community programs, telling residents that the village aims to preserve basic services while funding parks, recreation and library programs. The board also noted a recent New York State Comptroller fiscal stress indicator score of zero for the village, which trustees cited as evidence of sound fiscal condition.
The board approved the budget after a motion by Trustee Clark, seconded by Trustee Soloski; the minutes record the resolution as adopted. Trustees and staff said the practical dollar impact on an average household will be small because the village portion of a property tax bill makes up a relatively small share of the total tax bill.
The board also adopted homestead adjusted base proportions as recommended by the village assessor as part of the same set of budget resolutions.
The village will proceed with planned staffing and service restorations noted in the budget and will continue to monitor collective bargaining negotiations, which the treasurer said have not yet produced final numbers and could affect future budgets.