Southold Town Supervisor Al Krupski’s tentative 2027 budget will carry a 2.87 percent tax levy increase, underneath New York State’s tax cap.
If it is adopted as currently drafted, town property taxes will increase 2.27 percent to $407.763 per $1,000 of assessed valuation, up from $398.646 per $1,000 of assessed valuation in 2026.
The Town Board will now spend the month of October going over the budget before the public has a chance to weigh in it at hearings on Wednesday, Nov. 4 at 4 and 6 p.m. in the Town Hall meeting room. It must be adopted by the Town Board by Nov. 20.
Southold has budgeted nearly $61.2 million for the coming year in all of its town funds, excluding Community Preservation and Community Housing Funds, up from $59.8 million in 2026. The 2027 budget appropriates $4 million from the town’s fund balance, the same as budgeted in 2026.
The budget includes salary increases for public officials. The Town Supervisor’s salary would go from $129,502 to $132,092; Town Board members’ salaries would increase from $44,370 to $45,257, while the Fishers Island Justice and Town Board member salary would increase from $65,838 to $67,155. The Town Clerk’s salary would increase to $124,479 from $122,038. Town Trustees would receive the smallest increase, to $25,759 from $26,234.
Mr. Krupski outlined some of the challenges associated with preparing this year’s budget at a special meeting Friday morning, Oct. 2.
The 2027 budget, he said, “cannot rely on ARPA funds,” federal funds from the 2021 American Rescue Plan adopted in the middle of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“Forecasted sales tax has not increased and mortgage tax revenue has significantly decreased,” he said, adding that, while revenues have increased, the “cost of operations outpaced all expectations,” including “labor contract costs, increases in fuel for fleet and heating and inflated costs for goods and materials.”
He added that the town’s settlement of a long-running lawsuit (over the eminent domain proceedings for the former Brinkmann Hardware property in Mattituck) drained all of the town’s reserve funds for 2026, as we reported this summer.
Mr. Krupski said the 2027 budget funds a new Director of Code Enforcement position necessary for the town to enforce its proposed short-term rental regulations.
“Control of short-term rentals requires real oversight,” he said. “These changes will benefit the safety of residents, reduce the burden on first responders and address quality of life for all.”
He added that the town had in recent years relied on ARPA funding to keep its vehicle fleet up-to-date, but is now budgeting to spend its own money on fleet upgrades.
He said the budget also provides proper police staffing levels and provides officers “with necessary equipment and training.”
Town Board members shared his concerns about rising costs.
“I’m very concerned, at a high level, about the cost of fuel,” said Council Member Brian Mealy. “This is something that not only the town is dealing with, but the great citizenry is dealing with.”
“The same issues people are discussing over their kitchen tables also affect local governments,” agreed Council Member Alexa Suess.
Council Member Jill Doherty, participating via Zoom, reminded the public that the Town Board has not yet had a look at the budget and she has some questions about it.
Council Member Kate Stevens, also participating via Zoom, said she was impressed with the creative budgeting that enabled the town to keep increases at a minimum.
“It is not at all at pace with the cost of living, inflation, health care, salt and fuel,” she said. “The hill got a lot steeper this year, and and it was incredibly impressive, creative work to make this happen.”
She added that towns throughout New York are also dealing with unfunded mandates from the state.
“I’m pleased to see the priorities set around public safety, community housing, code enforcement,” said Council Member Anne Smith. “Part of that is looking at more strategic planning looking ahead, with our beaches, recreation and infrastructure.”
— Beth Young
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