Column: I Will Not Raise the County’s General Fund Taxes

At a time of tremendous uncertainty, Suffolk County residents deserve just that from their local government: certainty. My 2027 Recommended Operating Budget continues my fiscally conservative message with a 0% increase in General Fund taxes.

Holding the line on taxes is not always easy. Rising retirement and healthcare costs, along with unfunded state mandates, continue to put pressure on county finances. That is why the first two years of my administration focused on getting our fiscal house in order, staying within the state tax cap, and making government work more efficiently for the people we serve.

We have put Suffolk County on a stronger financial footing, which means we can hold the line on taxes when our residents need help saving every dollar possible.

We addressed hundreds of millions of dollars in potential liability by resolving lawsuits left over from previous administrations. We also have right-sized county departments so staffing better reflects actual needs.

Through careful and cautious budgeting, the county has protected our reserve funds rather than relying on them to balance the budget. Those decisions have helped produce higher credit ratings and positive outlooks from the major rating agencies. Fitch Ratings and S&P Global have specifically recognized our more conservative approach to budgeting.

Our capital budget is equally focused on Suffolk County's future. We are investing in infrastructure that has been neglected for too long while continuing to protect farmland and open space. The land we preserve today will help ensure that Suffolk County retains the character that makes it special. We do not want Suffolk to become Queens.

We are also making major investments in sewers and wastewater management. These investments are essential not only to protecting our environment and drinking water, but also to supporting economic growth and making housing more affordable.

With this year's wastewater investments, we are on track to fulfill my billion-dollar commitment to addressing Suffolk County's wastewater needs. Voters made it clear that clean water is a priority when they approved the 2024 Suffolk County Water Quality Restoration Act at the polls. That law will generate approximately $3 billion for clean water infrastructure through 2060.

At the end of the day, county government is only successful when it works for the people.

At the same time, our operating budget continues to make public safety a priority. That means putting more police officers on our streets and building on the progress of Operation Safe and Lasting Return. We continue to reform the county's Child Protective Services to better protect our most vulnerable children and families.

That is why I want residents to know that help is just a phone call away. If you have a nonemergency question or need assistance with a county service, call 311. Our operators will connect you with the right county department or direct you to the appropriate resource.

Our job is simple: provide the services people need, spend their tax dollars responsibly and make Suffolk County safer, stronger and more affordable.