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Locust Valley holds public hearing on proposed 2025-26 budget; levy would rise 2.36%
Summary
District officials presented a proposed 2025-26 budget with a 1.95% overall increase and a 2.36% property tax levy rise; a separate Proposition would withdraw $7.3 million from capital reserve for cafeteria and library renovations and was described as having no tax impact.
Locust Valley Central School District officials held a public hearing on the proposed 2025-26 budget, presenting a budget-to-budget increase of 1.95% and a proposed property tax levy increase of 2.36%.
District staff said the appropriation side of the budget — the expense portion — will increase 1.95% overall, and a reduction in certain state aid lines is driving a slightly larger reliance on property taxes. “Because of two deducts in our state aid, we have a decrease in our transportation aid. We have a decrease in our BOCES expense aid, which affects our property,” the district finance presenter said during the hearing.
The administration broke the proposed spending into the three standard components used in New York school budgets: administrative costs at about 10.02% of the total, program/instructional costs at 78.33%, and capital (operations and maintenance) at 11.66%.
A second proposition on the ballot would authorize a withdrawal of $7,300,000 from the district’s capital reserve to fund two projects: a high-school/middle-school all-purpose cafeteria renovation and a high-school library/research center renovation. The district noted the capital reserve is already funded and said the withdrawal “has no impact on your taxes.” Officials reported a capital balance of $10,700,000 as of June 30, 2024.
District leaders reminded voters that the budget vote is set for Tuesday, May 20, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at three polling locations: Bayville Intermediate School, Brookville Reformed Church community hall, and Anne McCarthy School. The superintendent urged residents to review the budget materials on the district website and to vote on May 20.
There was no public comment at the hearing.
Per the district, the budget presentation and supporting documents are posted on the Locust Valley Central School District website.
