Mineola board adopts local law authorizing possible tax-cap override

The Village of Mineola Board of Trustees on March 17 adopted a local law authorizing a property tax levy in excess of the limit established by New York General Municipal Law —3-c, an annual administrative measure taken as a precaution before budget season.

Mayor Perrier said the local law is intended to protect the village against unforeseen changes in state aid: "This we do this annually around this time right before budget season. Essentially, we take a vote ... in case of an eventuality and unforeseen circumstance where state aid is withheld, state aid is changed or is cut, and we do in fact have to pierce the tax cap," he said.

The measure does not itself raise taxes. Board members noted the village has passed the same authorization each year since the tax-cap regime took effect and said the action preserves the village's ability to exceed the cap if an emergency or funding cut requires it.

Trustee Clark, Deputy Mayor Sartori and Trustee Casado took part in the roll-call vote; Deputy Mayor Sartori moved the adoption and Trustee Casado seconded. The board polled and recorded unanimous votes in favor: Trustee Clark yes; Deputy Mayor Sartori yes; Trustee Casado yes; Trustee Solowski yes; Mayor Perrier yes. The motion carried.

Mayor Perrier reminded residents that budget hearings will be held in the coming weeks and urged public participation when the village publishes the budget schedule.

The adoption is an administrative step that village officials say preserves options during the budget process; it does not set any new tax rate or levy.