The Mount Pleasant Town Board has found a way to keep property taxes within the limit.
Some residents told News 12 they are relieved.
"Nobody wants to see their taxes go up," says Steve Muscolino, a resident.
The Town Board announced it will not need to raise property taxes by 1.5% above the state limit of 2%. It has all changed because of the town's health insurance premium for 2025. Town Supervisor Carl Fulgenzi told News 12 an unexpected change in the numbers has reduced the town's spending by nearly $300,000, which allowed the board to present a budget under the tax cap.
"We tightened up the budget more to bring it within the 2%," he says. "We then had a way out and figured out how we can save it here and spend more here and where does it put us."
Fulgenzi says overall, town services are not going to be affected. But he says the town board tightened up services in some departments, including the police and highway departments.
But he added there will still be a slight tax hike, marking about a 1.15% levy increase.
Residents say this is a step in the right direction.
"It's always a concern. Everybody's struggling, everything's gone up," says Muscolino.
But some have concerns still that there is still an increase.
"It just fell on their laps like free money. There was no tough decision to be made and they paid themselves a 3% increase," says Gol Ophir, a resident.