Hempstead Town Notebook: Budget Approved by Town Board [VIDEO], Town Clerk Poll

Hempstead Town Supervisor Kate Murray and the entire town board approved a on Tuesday that freezes all town taxes at 2011 levels. According to Murray, the spending plan "blazes a trail of best budgetary practices and fiscal responsibility at a time when many governments at all levels are in fiscal free fall."

"No gimmicks, no 'one shot' revenues, no service cuts ... just an honest, forthright budget that funds the finest municipal services at the lowest possible cost," Murray said of the town's budget.

Earlier this week, Gary Port, the Democratic candidate for town supervisor, questioned the tax-freeze budget and exactly what goes into it.

"Team Murray's budget is flawed, and leaves more questions than answers," Port told Patch. "An estimated $30 million in reserves is being used and there are significant increases in virtually every department. The amount of reserves being used is an election year trick to 'freeze taxes.'"

He added: "However, next year the town will either have to forego or reserve or raise taxes to cover the increase in budget and to replenish the reserves. This may translate into higher salaries for political appointees, while private sector jobless rate in the town increase."

For a video on the 2012 town budget meeting held earlier this week, click .