The Sag Harbor Village Board on Wednesday, April 27, unanimously approved a nearly $13.5 million budget that calls for a 6.65 percent spending increase but will remain within the state-mandated cap on tax levy increases.
The tax rate will dip slightly, by 0.62 percent, from $2.732 per $1,000 of assessed value to $2.715.
Nobody from the public spoke during a public hearing that was carried over from the board’s April 12 meeting.
During a brief presentation, Village Treasurer Timothy Bullock said the village had seen increases in revenues in fees from everything from dockage to the Village Justice Court and Building Department, which would help cushion the burden to taxpayers.
All told, the village will rely on $8,462,333 in taxes, an increase of $323,815, over last year; $4,494,450 in other revenues, an increase of $359,213; and $526,593 in appropriated fund balances, an increase of $157,401.
The board later appointed Bullock to a full-time position as treasurer, with an annual salary of $92,000. He had been serving on a part-time basis.
Mayor Jim Larocca said increased dock fees had allowed the village to undertake a number of infrastructure projects on the waterfront.
Larocca also said with major infrastructure projects on the horizon, including the need for a new firehouse, the village would explore creating a capital budget for such projects.
Separately, the board approved an $805,186 budget to operate its sewage treatment plant. The village charges properties that are connected to the sewage line an annual connection fee as well as a second fee based on water usage.
This year, the connection fee will increase from $1,250 to $1,375 for commercial properties and from $175 to $250 for residential properties. Trustee Aidan Corish, who serves as the board’s liaison to the plant, said it was the first increase since 1992, and he suggested the board review the connection fee on a regular basis going forward.
Stephen J. Kotz on May 5, 2022