Ocean Beach board adopts local law to allow budget above 2% tax cap for 2026

The Incorporated Village of Ocean Beach on Jan. 10 adopted a local law authorizing the Board to adopt a budget for the fiscal year beginning June 1, 2026 that may exceed the real property tax levy limit established by General Municipal Law §3-c. Trustee Ian Levine seconded the motion and the measure passed with Deputy Mayor Dawn L. Hargraves, Trustee Ian Levine, Trustee Jennifer Moritz and Mayor James S. Mallott recorded as voting aye; Trustee Marco Arment was absent.

Resident Maria Silsdorf asked during the public hearing whether the village expected it would need to "pierce the cap" this year; Village Treasurer Linda Morrisey said the village had only exceeded the cap in 2019 and "That is correct." The adopted local law includes standard severability and NYSEQRA language and takes effect on filing with the Secretary of State. The action gives the Board the legal authority to propose a levy above the statutory limit but does not itself set a final tax levy—that will occur later when the Board adopts a budget.