Malverne Village Approves Law to Override Tax Cap

The Malverne village board unanimously voted in favor of a law Wednesday night that will allow to override the tax cap.

They held a brief public hearing, during which they read the local law that would give them the power to exceed the cap imposed by New York State and then gave residents a chance to give input. No one wished to be heard. 

Mayor Patricia Norris McDonald explained that the board held off holding the hearing and voting on the tax cap law until they were well into the budget process.

"Every effort has been made to stay under the 2-percent tax cap, while still providing the services residents have come to know," she said. "However, there are certain increases that are beyond our control.

Among the expenses that are out of the board's hands, are pension increases, Deputy Mayor Joseph Hennessy explained, adding that these "exorbitant" costs went up 48.7 percent this year. 

McDonald said the goal of board is still to provide "the lowest possible" tax levy increase, but passing the law will give them the "flexibility to go over the tax cap should it become necessary."

Hennessy reminded residents that even if the board adopts a budget that stays under the cap, but due to a miscalculation, it accidentally goes over, the village could face "tremendous fines" if it did not adopt this law to override it.

"The village has no option other than to pass the local law," he said.

The board will discuss the proposed 2012-2013 budget in greater detail at a public hearing scheduled for April 12 at 7:30 p.m. They would then vote on April 16 to adopt the budget.

on Patch in early February, a majority of readers who voted were against the board overriding the cap.

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