The Hempstead Town Board adopted a $576 million budget for 2026 on Thursday evening that increases spending and relies on reserves while keeping the overall tax levy flat.

The budget passed 6 to 0 with Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby absent for the vote.

Supervisor John Ferretti touted a reduction in the general fund tax levy, which is the biggest and the only of 58 levies in the budget that hits all properties. The general fund levy will fall to $22.9 million from $27.9 million, a $5 million decrease.

General fund spending, however, will increase and the town plans to use more of its reserves to close an operating deficit.

Town spending under the plan would increase by $26.5 million, up 4.9% from $549.1 million in the current year’s adopted budget.

The town plans to use $56 million of re

See Full Page