Valley Stream trustees approve resolution to seek public hearing on tax-cap override

Trustees in Valley Stream voted to move forward with a proposed local law that would permit the village to levy property taxes above the statutory cap, scheduling a public hearing before adopting any change.

The board approved Resolution 057-26 after the clerk read the measure into the record; the resolution authorizes consideration of a local law to override the tax cap under the cited general municipal law and sets a public hearing at Village Hall. A staff member told trustees the measure was being advanced as a contingency because "it's very unlikely that we're gonna be able to stay under the cap and still balance our budget." The staff member also described the contingency as a precaution and said the board was not yet voting on a final levy percentage.

Why it matters: authorizing a hearing does not immediately change tax rates, but it preserves the village's ability to adopt a levy above the cap following the public process if trustees determine it is necessary to fund municipal services for fiscal year 2026–27.

Board members asked whether the village had settled on a specific percentage; staff said planning assumptions include a 4.99% sliding increase tied to the budget but emphasized the final number would depend on the budget approved after public comment. The board clarified that the vote was to permit consideration of the local law at a hearing, not to set a final levy.

The motion to advance the resolution was seconded and passed by roll call. Trustees recorded affirmative responses during the roll call (recorded as “yes” by multiple trustees and the mayor). The village's next formal step is the public hearing, which the board read into the record when adopting the resolution.

The budget hearing on the tentative 2026–27 budget was also announced at the meeting; trustees were reminded to submit questions to village staff before the April 13 public hearing.