Romaine Proposes Tax Cap for Brookhaven Town

Councilman Calls for a Public Referendum to be Placed on the Ballot

FARMINGVILLE, NY – Brookhaven Councilman Keith Romaine today proposed a tax cap for the Town of Brookhaven, which would cap the Town property tax rate and prohibit any tax rate increase beyond that of 4% or the Consumer Price Index (CPI), whichever is greater. A supermajority vote of the Town Board would be required to pierce the tax cap and increase the property tax rate.

“Every day I hear from residents who are struggling to pay their property tax bills and cope with the high cost of living during this economic downtown,” stated Councilman Romaine. “The typical conversation is usually, ‘If my family has to live within its means, why can’t the government. In tough times, I have to cut back, why can’t the government?’” “The residents of Brookhaven deserve to have their voices heard on this issue, which is why I am calling for a public hearing to set this referendum,” said Councilman Romaine. “A tax cap protects working families against the burden of higher Town property taxes and slows the rate of Town spending growth. The problem is runaway government spending and the high taxes it produces.”

Romaine is sponsoring a resolution at the August 4 Town Board meeting to set a public hearing for August 20 to consider the referendum. If approved, the tax cap referendum would be on the ballot for Election Day, November 3, for the voting public to decide.

“Too many people are struggling in this economy. The last thing they need is local governments hitting them with higher taxes,” said Councilwoman Jane Bonner. “This referendum would empower our residents, and allow them to decide whether they want a property tax cap in Brookhaven.”

The only exemptions to this law would be for costs to respond to a declaration of a public emergency; for items where Town residents have approved the expenditure of funds by public referendum; and for special districts expenditures such as water, streetlights, sewers, fire protection, and ambulance service.