Town Of Islip May See 10 Percent Tax Increase In 2017

ISLIP, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Residents of one Suffolk County town could face a nearly 10 percent town tax increase in the upcoming year.

The proposed 10 percent tax hike in the Town of Islip would cost the average homeowner an additional $48 a year, WCBS 880's Sophia Hall reported.

Bay Shore residents will be hit even harder, with another 40 percent increase to pay for fire department renovations and improvements to ambulatory services.

According to Islip Town Comptroller Joseph Ludwig, the money will be used for the cost of snow removal, road repairs and improvements to ambulance services. 

Andrea Vecchio, of the East Islip Tax Pac, said she believes the increase will also help pay for salary increases for some top employees.

"Parks Commissioner -- $45,000 raise!" Vecchio said. "I mean, people in Islip make $45,000 in a year. This is obscene."

If the proposed increase is passed, the Town of Islip will be breaking the tax cap -- a move Vecchio says is "unacceptable."

"We definitely are now trying to get to the point where we're trying to convince people that taxes have got to be lowered," Vecchio said. "It's not good enough just to hold the line because people are still leaving in droves."

The town board will vote on the proposal next month.