Connetquot kicks off 2025–26 budget season; board discusses firefighter, ambulance and senior tax exemptions

The Connetquot Central School District’s business office opened the 2025–26 budget process with a presentation on the timetable, inflationary pressures and state‑aid uncertainty, and asked trustees to consider two local tax‑exemption choices the Town of Islip recently adopted.

Business official Bob Hauser described the next 90 days as an intensive budget development window leading to the May 20 budget vote and school board election. Hauser told trustees the district has been constrained by the statutory tax‑cap formula (the commonly referenced “2 percent” cap is affected by a tax‑base growth factor and an allowable levy growth factor) even as inflation and cost drivers exceed that benchmark.

State aid uncertainty: Hauser and Superintendent Senimore said districts expect the governor’s executive proposal on state aid at the end of January and that final state aid figures will be set later in the spring. The district will compile expense estimates, factor attrition and staffing needs, and model “what‑if” scenarios to determine contingency options if aid is flat or reduced.

Proposed tax exemptions: The administration briefed trustees on two items shared by the Town of Islip: a new statewide volunteer firefighter and volunteer ambulance worker exemption that the town set with a two‑year minimum service threshold (down from five years in the district’s prior local practice) and a proposed increase in the maximum income limit for the senior citizen/disabled person exemption.

Hauser said the volunteer exemption would typically require applicants to own their home in the district as a primary residence and to demonstrate their volunteer service. The town’s change reduced the minimum service requirement from five years to two years; the board was told it may set the threshold at any number between two and five years and that the district would hold a public hearing before adopting such a change.

Senior and disabled exemption impact: Using material from the town assessor’s office, administrators said matching the Town of Islip’s higher income eligibility limit (raising the district’s current maximum for the 50% exemption from $29,000 to the town’s $50,000) could add an estimated 226 senior exemptions and shift about $4,000,000 in assessed value across remaining taxpayers. The administration said it would present more detailed dollar estimates and the procedural steps at a scheduled public hearing; trustees agreed to hold the hearing at the next board meeting, January 28.

Why it matters: Adopting either exemption change would reduce tax bills for qualifying residents but shift a portion of the tax burden to other taxpayers. Trustees urged careful review to protect key programs and preserve staffing while balancing community priorities.

Trustee questions and next steps: Trustees asked about contingency plans if state aid is lower than projected, the district’s use of reserves, and whether the assessor or town administers applications; Hauser said some elements (application and proof of primary residence) are administered by the town assessor and the district will provide details at the hearing. The administration committed to provide more specific dollar‑impact scenarios, BOCES aid details and negotiation/advocacy steps at the next meeting.

Ending: Trustees directed administration to schedule a public hearing (January 28) on the proposed exemptions, prepare detailed fiscal impact estimates and return with recommendations as the budget process continues.