East Hampton village presents tentative 2027 budget, reiterates tax-rate reduction

Village administration presented the tentative budget for fiscal year 2027 (Aug. 1, 2026''July 31, 2027) at the May 15 meeting, describing it as the product of a zero-based review of requests and an effort to prioritize fiscal stewardship.

The presentation said the proposed tax rate would be 31.35, representing a 0.29% reduction. The proposed budget total was described as nearly $32,000,000 with estimated revenues of $17,067,670 (an increase of almost $2 million compared with prior estimates); personnel costs were cited at about $14,000,000. The village said its surplus would remain approximately $600,000 and its contingency $300,000; insurance costs were noted at $675,000 (about a 9% increase). The presenter emphasized continued investment in infrastructure, reduced debt and consecutive years of tax reductions.

The administrator recognized several department retirements and staffing changes and noted proposed personnel actions and seasonal hires later approved by resolution. The board approved a notice of public hearing to review the proposed fiscal 2027 budget on June 17, 2026, at 11 a.m. at the Emergency Services Building, 1 Cedar Street. The budget document was posted on the village website.