Serving The Willistons, Albertson, Herricks, Mineola, and Searingtown
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Friday, February 19, 2016
Vol. 65, No. 8
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Guide to Special Occasion
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GUide To sPeciaL haBer aNNoUNces occasioNs sTaTe seNaTe rUN
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y 19, 2016 special section • februar
Schools in Mineola face cut in tax levy State formula calls for $10K decrease in revenue from taxes By N o a h M a N s k a r The Mineola school district’s tax levy will see a state-mandated decrease this year, district officials said Thursday. The confluence of a low costof-living increase, a flat tax base growth factor and short payments in lieu of taxes, or PILOTs, have set the district’s tax allowable levy at 0.01 percent, or about $10,000, below last year’s, Superintendent Michael Nagler said. But given the fact that the district has not received the full amount of PILOT payments it expected this year, it may be calculating the levy based on money it won’t receive, Assistant Superintendent for Finance and Operations Jack Waters said. “It’s a bit of a moving target that we’re dealing with,” Nagler said at the school board meeting on Thursday. “When these numbers have to be so exact and we don’t have the exact numbers, it’s very difficult.” State aid will help the district
maintain its programs despite the tight levy and an increase in expenses, Nagler said. But district and school board officials said it’s still crucial that voters approve the budget to avoid using a contingency budget, which would have a larger tax levy but wouldn’t include new equipment purchases, Nagler said. “I feel certain that people will say, ‘Oh, good, it’s less than zero. I PHOtO COURtESY OF LINDA CAPUtO don’t even have to show up,’” school board President Christine NapoliLuke, a 7-year-old German shorthaired pointer from Williston Park, competed in the tano said. The PILOT payments are among Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in Manhattan this week. several factors in a complex formula that calculates municipalities’ tax levies under the state property tax cap, which sets a ceiling on property tax increases at the lower of 2 percent or the consumer price index, 0.12 percent this year. Part of the formula is the district’s prior-year tax levy, reduced from about $80 million to $78.8 million in September after Long B y N o a h M a N s k a r minster Kennel Club Dog Show very solid dog, and if he shows Continued on Page 57 in Manhattan on Tuesday as he great, he has a very solid chance While he didn’t win, one Wil- nears the end of a winning career of winning an award.” Luke was one of about 3,000 liston Park dog took a shot at ca- as a show dog. “He has as good chance as dogs in the 140th annual show. nine royalty this week. Luke, a 7-year-old German any,” said Luke’s owner Linda He appeared for judging with shorthaired pointer, made his Caputo, a lifelong Williston Park about 40 other dogs of his breed Continued on Page 57 second appearance at the West- resident, said Monday. “He’s a
W.P dog falls short in quest for canine royalty
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