District: Group’s Tax Rate Claim is Bogus; Budget Vote Tomorrow

Babylon School District officials are firing back at a report that claims the district has the highest tax rate on Long Island, stating the information is “bogus” and “deceitful” with the intention to “incite anger” right before the annual budget vote tomorrow.

In a posting on the district website, Superintendent Dr. Ellen Best-Laimit, who is retiring in June, says the Empire Center report released late last week and its calculation are “meaningless,” as a low tax rate doesn’t necessarily equate to a low tax bill.

“The Babylon UFSD has lived up to its fiscal realities and responsibilities. We've maintained all vital programs and student services in our proposed budget. We have applied reserves wisely, and our projected tax levy increase is 2.86 percent,” writes Best-Laimit in a note on the district homepage.

Tomorrow taxpayers will go to the polls to decide on $46 million dollar spending plan  that projects a tax increase of 2.86 percent and an estimated average tax bill increase of $232 for homeowners. School leaders say the tax levy increase ranks 31st lowest among Long Island’s 124 districts.

The online tool under fire was launched by Empire Center, a conservative policy group, and compares total school district, municipal and county tax burdens statewide. But Nassau County is not included and school officials say the figures are trustworthy.

“In their own words, they admit their calculations are 'approximations.' And by these same calculations, Long Island has the lowest tax rate in the state. But that's really meaningless, because the tax rate is based on property wealth, and we all know that a low tax rate doesn't necessarily mean a low tax bill," writes Best-Laimit. "Comparing tax rates among towns is an apples to oranges comparison, since tax bases differ widely and counties all calculate rates differently."

Best-Laimit added: “Taxes and school spending are important issues. It's reprehensible that Empire Center would distort the public record with bad data and meaningless conclusions.”

The district's proposed spending plan offers the third lowest tax increase in 19 years, according to Deputy Superintendent Peter Daly, and the third lowest budget increase, 2.66 percent, in the same time frame.

Should voters reject the budget tomorrow, the board of education has three options: resubmit the same budget for a revote, submit a revised budget for a second vote or immediately implement a contingency budget that would cap the spending increases at 1.92 percent. To keep current programs and staff under a contingency budget would require an additional cut of $323,000.

“That would be difficult to do,” said Daly during a public hearing earlier this year on the budget, adding that the board could also decide to add more fund balance to the budget.

There are four trustee seats up for election: President Henry Brunjes (who is not seeking re-election), Roger Katz, Judy Anderson (not seeking re-election) and the vacated seat of Board Vice President Cathy Vukovich, who resigned at the end of March.

There are six candidates vying for the four seats: Greg Antolini, incumbent Roger Katz, John Savoca, Pauline Cimaszewski, Alena J. Berenblatt and Dominick Montalto.

Voting on the budget and trustee positions will take place Tuesday, May 17, from 6 a.m. to 9 p.m. at the Babylon Memorial Grade School.