Smithtown leaders have released a budget proposal for 2023. The $126.1 million plan includes funds spearheaded for parks, roads and pay raises for town officials.
A major part of the plan includes a 2.08% increase on property taxes, as well as a 5% increase on the residential solid waste fee, the latter encompassing pickup and disposal of garbage, yard waste and recyclables.
These two facets of the plan are integral to the town budget because they account for the largest sources of revenue, with property taxes taking a thin majority at 50%, and waste removal at 16%.
The other major beneficiary besides the town budget: Town Hall. It raises all around for town officials.
Smithtown Supervisor Ed Wehrheim takes the highest increase in salary compared to other leaders: a 22% increase, bringing his annual salary from $118,827 to an even $145,000.
The Town Councilmembers, of whom there are four working in a part-time capacity, are each receiving 10.5% raises, going from salaries of $77,495 to $85,596.
Department heads will receive a 9.5% raise, per their union contract.
Overall, the town spending on salaries would increase almost 2%, while accounting for 39% of town spending altogether.
Supervisor Ed Wehrheim champions the proposal: “We’ve delivered a budget this year that keeps all of the major funds structurally balanced, with no use of fund balance needed…Our fund balance levels remain strong as does our outstanding fiscal rating.”
Regarding the increase in salaries for most town employees, Wehrheim says: “We want the best and more dedicated folks and adjustments had to be made. I’ll match my administration with any other.”
By comparison, the salaries for Huntington Supervisor is about $50,000 more than that of Wehrheim’s, with the salary for Brookhaven Supervisor being about $20,000 more.
Garguilo responded to The Messenger for direct comment. She defends the pay increases for town officials. When asked how the figures were created:
“Bottom line: because these raises are warranted and have been for the last three years. We have the means to do it this year and might not be able to do it next year. The Elected Officials turned down the quality of life raises during the two years we endured COVID-19…the department administration worked through COVID-19. They didn’t go home for weeks at a time. They toughed it out and they didn’t get rewarded for the sacrifices made, the extra responsibilities, or the added stress.”
Garguilo continued: “The Town of Smithtown operates on a much tighter budget than other towns. The Supervisor and the town board work full-time despite their salaries being considered part-time.”
Garguilo defended Wehrheim’s statements regarding the budget: “’This administration, if you compare it surrounding towns, the supervisor’s office in total, and the council office in total, run at about between $400k-500k less than surrounding municipalities.’”
A concern held by some include, in the words of Wehrheim, that the town road program is likely to repave fewer miles in 2023 because of rising costs. Regarding that, Garguilo responds:
“If you remove the raises, the [property] tax is unchanged. It’s still $23.75 dollars per the average assessed home. The raises account for literally pennies per household. What Supervisor [Wehrheim] said to Newsday was that the costs associated with inflation and natural oil will mean that our dollars won’t go as far. Bids have been coming in much higher than previously anticipated. We’re not delivering less services. We just have to stretch our dollars and work harder to deliver.”
Town Hall held a public hearing last week, but a formal budget vote has not yet been scheduled.
