Southeast Facing 2026 Tax Levy Hike

By Holly Crocco

During a Sept. 29 special meeting of the Southeast Town Board, Supervisor Nick Durante took some heat for presenting a tentative budget that raises the tax levy by almost 11 percent – blowing the state-mandated property tax cap of 4.23 percent for the town out of the water, and adding about $50 more in taxes per household.

“You’re proposing a 10.9 percent tax levy increase, which I’m honestly kind of stunned by,” said Councilman Eric Cyprus. “You started off by saying assessed value is going up and that helps. That doesn’t help the residents, that only helps you discuss a percentage.”

He elaborated by saying that, because the total townwide assessed value increased, the supervisor can say the increase is only 4.4 percent (mill rate), but it is actually a 10.95 percent increase to the tax levy.

Durante explained that while the state-mandated property tax cap limits the town’s tax levy increase to $306,000, “things we cannot control are at $352,000 … so it kind of puts us in a bind right off the bat.”

Increasing expenditures include a 3 percent salary increase for CSEA employees and a 4.5 percent increase for highway department employees. “That alone amounts to $180,000,” explained Durante.

The budget also include a new position for an assistant building inspector, at a cost of $110,000.

“I truly believe this is something we really need to look at,” said the supervisor. “We are way behind in the building department with expired permits and how may open permits we have.”

In addition, the town’s contribution to the New York State retirement system has gone up 19.76 percent, health insurance costs are increasing 4.35 percent, and – as everyone knows – electric costs are skyrocketing.

“Luckily, that health insurance (increase) isn’t as high as we thought it would be,” said Durante.

While the town’s expenditures are estimated to be plus-4.5 percent, revenues are estimated at minus-5 percent.

Durante noted that a stagnant real estate market in town isn’t helping any. “Mortgage tax is taking a pretty good hit,” he said. “There’s not a lot of movement with people buying homes and getting mortgages.”

In addition, while the planning department had several big developments taking shape over the past few years, that’s not the case going into 2026.

Revenues from the building department are estimated to be similar to what they are this year. “We left it there because we’re short already going into this year,” explained Durante. “I don’t want to make that number too big.”

Cyprus said that, while that reasoning is fair, it’s hard to justify hiring new assistant building inspector if the revenue isn’t there to support it.

“We can’t say we’re spending money on the building department to increase revenue if we don’t really plan on that increasing revenue,” he said.

Councilman Eric Larca noted that the courts aren’t bringing in much money, either, to which Durante explained that the proposed court budget remains the same as this year “because we’re behind right now.”

Cyprus suggested that changes be made in how the court operates. “It looks like we’re running over-budget and over-time in that department,” he said. “And instead of trying to address that we’re just increasing the budget.”

Durante said that this year the department is training two new employees, so payroll is higher.

“But they won’t be newer next year, and we budgeted for it,” noted Cyprus, who explained that the added overtime won’t be needed next year.

“I realize a lot of things are out of our control, but was there anywhere in here that you were able to find some savings to offset everything you mentioned,” he asked the supervisor.

Durante said that while some of the interest and earnings lines may have some wiggle room, “there wasn’t anything significant.”

The board met again Oct. 9 to discuss the budget and provide an update on changes made so far. Check next week’s issue for the latest report.