East Hampton Democratic primary debate highlights taxes, staff retention and the senior center
May 14, 2026 | EAST HAMPTON UNION FREE SCHOOL DISTRICT, School Districts, New York
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At a packed LTV Studios debate, incumbent Kathy Burke Gonzalez and challenger Jerry Larson laid out contrasting messages about fiscal management, staff treatment and community projects.
Larson framed his candidacy around fiscal restraint and management. He criticized recent tax increases and said the town pierced the tax cap "two years in a row," calling the trend unacceptable for residents on fixed incomes. "We need to make the reason the tax gap is in place is to make government make tough decisions and keep our taxes normal," he said.
Gonzalez defended the budgetary decisions and said increases funded services and pay for town employees. She cited a AAA Moody's rating and said raising revenues allowed the town to invest in staff and infrastructure. "We have a very sound financial plan for our town," she said, noting the 2026 budget produced a modest rise in property-tax bills (she gave an example of a $1.5 million assessment increasing taxes by about $90 a year).
On labor issues, the moderator read questions from local CSEA members who raised concerns about wages and health-insurance cost-sharing. Gonzalez recounted the most recent contract (a 17% increase over four years plus a $2,000 flat payment and scheduled raises) and said more adjustments will be made in the next bargaining round. Larson pointed to village practices that eliminated employee insurance contributions and said he would pursue competitive contracts to recruit and retain staff.
The senior-center/community-center project and the Montauk wastewater study also drew attention. Larson criticized earlier attempts and the clearing of acreage, while Gonzalez said the current plan was chosen to avoid disruptive construction at the existing center and pointed to the Montauk wastewater study ($250,000 county grant) underway.
Why it matters: The debate framed administrative competence and fiscal strategy as voter priorities in a town with growing year-round population pressures and high seasonal peaks.
Next steps: Both candidates asked for votes in the June 23 Democratic primary.
Larson framed his candidacy around fiscal restraint and management. He criticized recent tax increases and said the town pierced the tax cap "two years in a row," calling the trend unacceptable for residents on fixed incomes. "We need to make the reason the tax gap is in place is to make government make tough decisions and keep our taxes normal," he said.
Gonzalez defended the budgetary decisions and said increases funded services and pay for town employees. She cited a AAA Moody's rating and said raising revenues allowed the town to invest in staff and infrastructure. "We have a very sound financial plan for our town," she said, noting the 2026 budget produced a modest rise in property-tax bills (she gave an example of a $1.5 million assessment increasing taxes by about $90 a year).
On labor issues, the moderator read questions from local CSEA members who raised concerns about wages and health-insurance cost-sharing. Gonzalez recounted the most recent contract (a 17% increase over four years plus a $2,000 flat payment and scheduled raises) and said more adjustments will be made in the next bargaining round. Larson pointed to village practices that eliminated employee insurance contributions and said he would pursue competitive contracts to recruit and retain staff.
The senior-center/community-center project and the Montauk wastewater study also drew attention. Larson criticized earlier attempts and the clearing of acreage, while Gonzalez said the current plan was chosen to avoid disruptive construction at the existing center and pointed to the Montauk wastewater study ($250,000 county grant) underway.
Why it matters: The debate framed administrative competence and fiscal strategy as voter priorities in a town with growing year-round population pressures and high seasonal peaks.
Next steps: Both candidates asked for votes in the June 23 Democratic primary.
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