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Amityville Village okays new budget Spending plan calls for 3.1% tax hike and is within tax cap By CAROLYN JAMES cjames@liherald.com
Courtesy Amityville school district
Nathanael Spence, Coordinator of School Transportation for the Amityville School District, has been accepted as a Master Instructor Candidate for the 2026–27 program year.
ASD Transportation Coordinator named Master Instructor Candidate The Amityville School District has announced that Nathanael Spence, Coordinator of School Transportation, has been accepted as a Master Instructor Candidate for the 2026– 27 program year, recognizing his leadership and professionalism in pupil transportation. The Master Instructor program is designed to prepare experienced transportation professionals to train and mentor School Bus Driver Instructors (SBDIs). These instructors, in turn, provide required safety training for school bus drivers, monitors and attendants, helping ensure consistent and highquality instruction across school districts. Spence was selected based on his demonstrated commitment to excellence in pupil
transportation, professional development, and school transportation safety. Master Instructor Candidates are expected to exhibit strong leadership, technical expertise, and a dedication to advancing safety standards, while collaborating with peers across the field. His selection reflects both his experience and ongoing efforts to strengthen training practices and safety protocols within the district’s transportation operations. The district congratulated Spence on the achievement and noted that his continued leadership is expected to support student safety and transportation excellence.
The Village of Amityville’s proposed 2026-27 budget includes a 3.1 percent increase in real property taxes while remaining under New York state’s tax cap for the 14th consecutive year, Mayor Michael O’Neill said at the village’s budget hearing April 27. O’Neill said the increase is lower than in neighboring villages, where taxes have risen by more than 20 percent over the past three years in Lindenhurst and Babylon. During that same period, Amityville’s tax increase totaled 6.8 percent. The budget projects a $2.25 million increase in state aid tied to grant-funded projects, while most other revenue lines are expected to remain level. A slight increase in impact fees is also anticipated, related to payments from the Avalon Bay development that offset its tax obligations through a payment-in-lieu-of-taxes agreement. Spending is rising in several departments due to contractual costs, employee raises and a projected 10 percent increase in health insurance. Police department expenses are expected to increase by 8 percent, including funding for a new
server. “We have also budgeted for three new police vehicles that we are anxiously waiting to hear of grant approval that will cover that expense,” O’Neill said. The building department budget includes four part-time code enforcement officers and the addition of a full-time fire marshal. Public works projects include tree replacements, new plantings at village entryways, equipment upgrades and drainage improvements. The fire department will expand emergency medical service coverage by adding 16 hours per week for a third EMS provider. The department also took possession of a new Hose Company No. 4 fire truck that will be paid off with a yearly expense of $111,614 over the next nine years, O’Neill said. Capital projects planned for the coming year include street paving, playground upgrades and continued repairs to the Trihy House on Ocean Avenue. Village officials also pointed to Amityville’s A2 bond rating from Moody’s. “This is quite an accomplishment and is a testament to the financial stability of the Village,” O’Neill said. “Also we have CONTINUED ON PAGE 2