East Islip budget hearing proposes 1.75% tax-levy increase; two transportation and safety propositions could raise homeowner costs

At a public hearing required by New York State, district staff presented the East Islip Union Free School District’s proposed 2025–26 budget that relies on a 1.75% tax-levy increase and $6.4 million in reserve use to support a slate of operating and capital needs.

“The tax levy supporting the proposed budget is 1.75%,” said Mr. Harrison, district staff member, presenting the budget. He told residents that the district’s proposed levy is about $900,000 less than the maximum allowed under the state tax-cap calculation and that the levy supporting the budget is slated to be $77,100,000.

The presentation framed the proposal against state budget assumptions. “State aid is slightly going up by 2%…the biggest contributor to state aid is foundation aid which is going up by 2% or $580,000,” Harrison said, and he noted that a “hold harmless” provision in the state budget prevents districts from receiving less state aid next year than they receive this year. Harrison said without that provision the district could see a roughly $8 million reduction in state aid under the formula.

Why it matters: The hearing explained how the levy, state aid, reserves and several ballot propositions interact to set taxpayer impact. Under the district’s figures, an average homeowner with an assessed value of $40,000 would pay about $140…