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Mineola treasurer outlines 2026–27 budget; tax levy to rise about 1.95%
Summary
Village Treasurer Jack Chicone presented the proposed 2026–27 budget, citing revenue gains from parking and PILOTs and increased costs from pensions and health insurance that together produce a $291,640 increase (about 1.95%) in the village tax levy. A public hearing is set for April 15.
Village Treasurer Jack Chicone on Tuesday presented the highlights of the proposed fiscal year 2026–27 budget, saying a mix of higher revenues and rising costs will leave the village with a modest tax levy increase.
"Pilot revenue is increasing by $65,000," Chicone said, adding that parking receipts, building permits, fines and mortgage-tax receipts are all expected to rise. He identified several specific revenue changes: street parking revenue up $100,000 due to new kiosks and broader downtown use, building permits up $50,000, fines and forfeitures up $175,000, Harrison Avenue garage revenue up $100,000, mortgage tax up $75,000 and state aid up $36,956 from temporary municipal assistance.
But Chicone and board members said expense pressures are larger in some categories. He told the board that New York State Retirement System contribution rates are increasing (from 16.5% to 17.6% of payroll), which he estimated will raise pension costs by about $100,000, and that health insurance premiums are expected to increase by roughly $160,000. The village also will realize a $30,500 savings from an MTA payroll tax exemption effective July 1, 2025.
Chicone said those changes translate to a tax levy increase of $291,640, or about 1.95% — below the statutory 2% tax-cap threshold.
Deputy Mayor Story and Trustee Clark praised the budget for staying under the cap while preserving services, noting the village’s reliance on nonproperty revenues such as parking and permits to offset rising personnel and benefit costs. "We'd like to say we're not raising your taxes," Deputy Mayor Story said, "but these mandates are expensive; not raising taxes would require sacrificing services."
The board set a public budget hearing for Wednesday, April 15 at 6:30 p.m., when the proposed budget will be available for public review and comment. Chicone said some figures remain tentative until the state finalizes its budget, which could affect state-aid line items.
Next steps: the board will receive public comment at the April 15 hearing and must adopt a final budget before the start of the new fiscal year.
