Southold budget includes funding for vehicle replacements and a new highway barn

Supervisor Albert Krupsky Jr. highlighted capital plans in the tentative 2027 budget to maintain and replace the town's vehicle fleet and to support construction of a new highway barn.

"Our investment in a new highway barn will help to extend the life of both our newest trucks and equipment as well as our older vehicles," Krupsky said, noting the budget includes funding previously paid for by federal ARPA dollars. He added town departments are already engaged in fuel-efficiency and maintenance programs to reduce operating costs.

Board members raised questions about rising fuel prices and the effect on transportation and Department of Public Works operations. Krupsky said staff are working on efficiency measures but acknowledged the fiscal pressure created by higher fuel and material costs.

The board accepted the tentative budget for further review; details for the highway barn project, including scope and timeline, were described generally and will be refined in departmental reviews and subsequent meetings.