Autumn color along the stream and stone bridge in Heckscher Park, Huntington. Photo: Ihop4u2 / Wikimedia Commons, public domain (cropped).

By Mike Pesce & Ron Lanzillotta, The Pesce & Lanzillotta Group, Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty

Property taxes are one of the first numbers buyers ask about and one of the biggest ongoing costs homeowners carry. That's why the Town of Huntington's 2027 budget is worth your attention right now. The town's preliminary plan would raise the town tax levy by 18.4 percent, well above the state tax cap, and the Town Board is scheduled to adopt a final budget on November 17.

If you own a home in Huntington, Dix Hills, Melville, Cold Spring Harbor, Lloyd Harbor or Lloyd Neck, or you're thinking about buying in the town, here's what's on the table, what residents said at last week's budget hearing, and what it could mean for you.

What the Town Is Proposing

Supervisor Ed Smyth's preliminary 2027 operating budget totals $269,737,071, HuntingtonNow reported when the board received the plan in early October. Through a town spokeswoman, Smyth called it "the responsible thing to do," adding, "The math of the cap does not work in this environment." He has pointed to inflation and mandates as the reasons the town is weighing either deep cuts or exceeding the cap.

At the budget hearing, Comptroller Jonas Wagner laid out the numbers, according to Minutes Media, which publishes AI-assisted summaries of the town's public meeting recordings:

  • Proposed tax levy: about $169.9 million, roughly $22.5 million above the $147.4 million the state tax cap would allow.
  • Levy increase: 18.4 percent, compared with a 2.68 percent cap.
  • Sample household: about $291.05 more per year on the town portion of the bill, or roughly $24.25 a month. Wagner noted that the actual impact will vary by property.

HuntingtonNow reported that the proposed budget does not include the layoffs or drastic program cuts Smyth said would be needed to stay under the cap.

What Staying Under the Cap Would Mean

Town officials described the alternative in stark terms. Wagner said staying under the cap would require about a 16 percent cut across departments that could affect up to 916 positions, including 123 full-time jobs.

Department heads told the board what that could look like: eliminating summer, seasonal and part-time positions, closing beaches, suspending summer camp programs, reducing maintenance of parks and athletic fields, cutting maritime patrols, and closing the animal shelter to the public. The Human Services director said programs for seniors, youth and residents with disabilities depend heavily on part-time staff.

The supervisor also told the board that Moody's expects the town to maintain a 35 percent reserve ratio to keep its AAA bond rating, and that Huntington is currently at about 34.5 percent.

What Residents Told the Board

Several residents, including a speaker from Dix Hills, argued that the town was presenting a false choice between the full increase and deep cuts, and urged the board to find a middle ground. Speakers suggested an outside audit, higher zoning fees, bidding out a garbage contract and reducing garbage pickup frequency.

Others asked the board to publish the cost of an earlier resolution that cut the service requirement for fully paid lifetime health insurance for town officials, appointees and their spouses from 12 years to six. One resident said the town confirmed in writing that no cost estimate exists.

Residents also noted that the board already voted in September to allow the budget to exceed the cap, with the supervisor, Councilman Bennardo and Councilwoman Mari in favor. That authorization does not settle the final tax increase: what remains open is the final budget the board adopts.

What This Means for Huntington Homeowners

Keep the scale in perspective. The town levy is only one part of a Huntington property tax bill, which also includes school district, county and special district taxes. A large percentage increase in the town levy does not mean your whole tax bill rises by the same percentage, and the town's own sample works out to a few hundred dollars a year for that property.

If you live in an incorporated village such as Lloyd Harbor, you also pay village taxes, and the town charges on your bill may look different, so your own bill is the best guide. For everyone, the most useful steps are simple:

  • Watch the November 17 meeting. The board can still change the final numbers before adoption.
  • Check your assessment. Make sure the town has your home's details right, and that you're receiving any exemptions you qualify for, such as STAR or senior exemptions.
  • Plan for the change. If you escrow taxes through your mortgage, a higher bill can mean a higher monthly payment once your lender recalculates.

What It Means for Buyers and Sellers

Buyers: Ask for the current tax bill on any Huntington-area home you're considering, and remember that 2027 town taxes may come in higher. Factor that into your monthly budget, especially if you're comparing homes across town lines or between Nassau and Suffolk.

Sellers: Buyers will ask about taxes, so be ready. A copy of your latest bill and a list of the exemptions you receive (some may not transfer to a new owner) make for a smoother conversation. And remember what the budget debate is really about: beaches, parks, senior programs and public safety are part of why people want to live in the Town of Huntington in the first place.

"Taxes are always part of the conversation when someone buys or sells a home in Huntington, and it helps to look at the whole picture, not just one headline. Whether you're wondering what this means for your home's value or how it fits into a move you're planning, Mike and I are always happy to sit down and walk through it with you."

— Ron Lanzillotta, The Pesce & Lanzillotta Group

Thinking About Buying or Selling in the Town of Huntington?

From Cold Spring Harbor and Lloyd Harbor to Dix Hills and Melville, we help buyers and sellers understand the full cost of owning a home, including taxes, before they make a move. Reach Mike Pesce or Ron Lanzillotta at 516.888.9711 or info@pl-team.com.

Start a home valuation with your address, or contact us about your next move.

For more local context, read our Q3 2026 Long Island market update and our Huntington Oheka Castle auction report.

Mike Pesce & Ron Lanzillotta, The Pesce & Lanzillotta Group | Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices Laffey International Realty | 8223 Jericho Turnpike, Woodbury | 516.888.9711 | info@pl-team.com

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