PRESS RELEASE                                                        
Sept. 27, 2018
Contact: Connie Conway
(631) 702-1743                        

Southampton Town Supervisor Delivers 2019 Tentative Budget With 1% Property Tax Rate Reduction 

Southampton Town Supervisor Jay Schneiderman continues to reduce taxes while making necessary infrastructure improvements and meeting growing demands.  The Supervisor delivered his 2019 Tentative Budget to the Town Clerk and Town Board on Thursday, Sept. 27^th, three days before the September 30^th deadline. 

The 2019 Tentative Budget reflects conservative financial practices protecting taxpayers’ dollars and assuring the Town maintains its strong financial position with credit rating agencies. 

Some of the highlights of the 2019 Tentative Budget include:

• 1% property tax rate reduction  
• $23 million debt reduction
• Infrastructure and facilities improvements
• Increase in available Highway funding
• “Pay as you go” fund increase
• “Green” cost saving projects funding
•   Four new staff positions

The 2019 Tentative Budget includes funding to support several capital projects including improvements to the Ponquogue Beach Pavilion, Hot Dog Beach, Ludlum Park, Good Ground Park, Old Ponquogue Bridge, Shinnecock Maritime Park, Riverside Maritime/Pedestrian Trail, Tiana Life Saving Station and the Lobster Inn Marina.  It also includes funding to purchase the Hampton Bays Community Center and to replace the heating and ventilation system at Town Hall.

“Some of these improvements are long overdue,” said Supervisor Jay Schneiderman, “we are in a position now to make these improvements without placing an undue burden on taxpayers.”

Supervisor Schneiderman thanked Town Comptroller Len Marchese and his department for their assistance in preparing the 2019 Tentative Budget.

 “The Town of Southampton, under the leadership of Supervisor Schneiderman and the members of the Town Board, continues to remain on strong financial footing,” said Comptroller Len Marchese. 

 Two public hearings will be held on the Tentative Budget, on October 23^rd at 6pm and November 13^th at 1pm. 

The final adoption of the budget is scheduled for Tuesday, November 20th at 11am.  

This is the third budget for Southampton Town prepared by Supervisor Schneiderman.  All three budgets have included property tax rate reductions.  For Schneiderman, who also served as East Hampton Town Supervisor and Suffolk County Legislator, this represents the 19^th consecutive budget that does not increase the property tax rate for his constituents.