2018 East Hampton Budget Is Okayed

A $77.7 million East Hampton Town operating budget for 2018 was adopted by the town board last Thursday after a hearing on the final proposal. 

The budget reflects an approximately 3.6-percent increase in spending next year, which will result in slight tax rate increases. For those living in the town and outside its incorporated villages, the tax rates will rise by 1.4 percent; the increase in tax rates for village residents will be 1.5 percent. 

According to Len Bernard, the town budget officer, the rate increases will translate to a rise in tax bills for residents with a house assessed at $4,000, which is considered to have a $700,000 market value, of $17.12 outside of the villages and an increase of $6.96 for village residents.

The budget and its minimal spending increase is below the state-mandated tax levy cap by $237,000, Mr. Bernard said.

Next year’s budget calls for the addition of three full-time employees: � a Marine Patrol officer, a Building Department clerk, and an account clerk at East Hampton Airport as well as for salary raises of approximately 2 to 3 percent for union employees, according to contract.