North Merrick presents proposed $44 million budget with 2.53% tax-levy increase

Miss Donnelly, presenting to the budget advisory committee, said the proposed expenditure budget lays out how the district plans to spend for 2026–27 and noted the tax-levy figure the district will send to the county: "this year, the $26,000,008.94." She told committee members the proposed budget-to-budget change is roughly 3.86% and the proposed tax-levy increase is 2.53%, which the district expects is compliant with the state tax-cap formula and will not require a 60% override vote.

The superintendent- and business-office presentation emphasized constraints on controllable revenue and expense lines. Miss Donnelly flagged major uncontrollable drivers—employer pension contributions (ERS and TRS) and health-insurance rates—and said some items, including BOCES administrative fees and CPI-based transportation increases, are not finalized when the board must adopt a budget. She noted the district plans a budget presentation to the board on April 14 and a public budget hearing on May 5 before the May vote.

Board procedure items were moved by voice vote. Miss Ryan called routine consent motions to approve agenda items and personnel and special-services reports; motions were seconded and carried on voice votes. The district will file required property tax report materials with New York State after the board's expected April adoption.

Community and process notes: Miss Donnelly said the district eliminated an ongoing appropriation from fund balance this year (a change auditors commended), increased planned appropriations from specific reserves such as ERS, and budgeted a smaller draw from reserves in one line (she said she had budgeted about $725,000 in ERS use).