By Hank Russell
The towns of Brookhaven and East Hampton have both released their proposed budgets for 2026.
Brookhaven’s budget calls for a spending increase of 1.7%, remaining under the state’s 2% tax cap. According to the town, Brookhaven taxpayers send less than six cents out of every tax dollar to the town government.
Key highlights include:
- a detailed breakdown of sanitation costs. For the first time, the budget provides a separate and itemized accounting of garbage and recycling expenses, offering residents greater insight into actual service costs and operational efficiency.
- $4 million set aside for open space preservation.
- cutting ambulance district taxes by 1.3%.
- a gradual closure of the Holtsville Ecology Animal Sanctuary, also known as the Holtsville Zoo. Rescued birds and mammals currently housed at the facility will be transferred to an approved and accredited sanctuary, ensuring continued care and ethical treatment. As previously reported by Long Island Life & Politics, Supervisor Dan Panico announced the animal preserve will close by the end of March 2026, citing the cost to taxpayers; he also said that operating an animal refuge did not fit the town’s priorities for serving residents in the future.
“This proposed budget reflects our dedication to responsible governance, environmental stewardship, and transparency for the residents of Brookhaven,” Panico said.
Meanwhile, East Hampton released its 2026 Tentative Budget, a $109,910,500 spending plan. This results in a 5.78% tax rate increase for residents outside the villages. For a home valued at $1,250,000, that is about $84 more in annual town taxes.
“A budget is a reflection of our values as a community,” said Town Supervisor Kathee Burke-Gonzalez. “In East Hampton, those values are clear. We protect our beaches, our open space, and the natural resources that make this place unique. We expand access to childcare, recreation, and wellness services so families can thrive. And we help those who are struggling, ensuring that no neighbor is left behind. This budget carries those values forward. It shows that when we work together, we care for one another, preserve what we cherish, and build a community where every resident feels they belong.”
Nearly 63% of the budget is dedicated to salaries and benefits, Burke-Gonzalez said. It provides contractually required salary increases, as well as seven regrades and 19 promotions. Seven new positions are created, including two harbormasters, three police officers, and two groundskeepers.
“The people who make up our Town workforce are not just employees; they are our neighbors and friends,” Burke-Gonzalez said. “They are the ones plowing the roads, keeping our beaches safe, responding to emergencies, and helping families with services. This budget recognizes their contributions with fair pay, promotions, and new positions where the need is greatest. By investing in them, we are investing in the quality of life that every resident counts on.”
The 2026 Tentative Budget also includes the School Resource Officer program. Officers serve as teachers, mentors, and trusted partners for students and school staff, while also providing peace of mind for parents. In addition, the budget invests $1.37 million in lifeguards and beach personnel, continuing East Hampton’s lifeguard training pipeline that provides lifesaving protection and youth employment.
“Every parent deserves the peace of mind that comes with knowing their child’s school is safe. That is why this budget expands the School Resource Officer program. These officers teach, they mentor, and they help prevent problems before they start. This investment is about giving kids a safe place to learn, strengthening the bonds between young people and law enforcement, and protecting the next generation,” Supervisor Burke-Gonzalez said.
The budget also includes increased funding for food programs, with $150,000 for the Montauk Community Nutrition Center and $40,000 for the Springs Food Pantry, along with continued support for the Montauk Food Pantry. The Town also provides the East Hampton Food Pantry with free space on the Town Hall campus and covers their utility costs. Childcare programs, wellness services, mental health and substance abuse support, English education for Spanish speaking residents, and domestic violence prevention are also funded, including the Eleanor Whitmore Early Childhood Center, Project MOST, Family Service League, Phoenix House, The Retreat, and Ruta 27 Programa de Inglés, Inc.
“When families face challenges, we rise to meet them. This budget includes funding for food pantries so parents can put meals on the table. It supports childcare centers that working families depend on, invests in organizations that provide counseling, and recovery services, and assists our immigrant neighbors with programs that open doors to opportunity. These organizations extend the reach of Town government and strengthen the fabric of our community. Their work embodies who we are as East Hampton, a place where neighbors care for neighbors,” Burke-Gonzalez said.
The budget also provides $46,000 to continue the quarterly newsletter launched this summer, ensuring every household receives updates on Town projects, services, and events. It allocates $30,000 for a sustainable landscaping education program that promotes native plants, pollinator health and reductions in irrigation and pesticide use. Investments also include $590,000 for the YMCA RECenter, which serves residents of all ages, and $750,000 for LTV, which broadcasts public meetings, provides emergency information, and preserves local culture.
“Budgets are reflections of who we are,” Burke-Gonzalez said. “This one supports working families and invests in the people and programs residents count on every day. I am proud of what we have accomplished together and confident in the path ahead.”