Nassau villages claim they're short-changed on sales tax revenue

<p>Some Nassau County villages claim in a lawsuit that they are being short-changed when it comes to sales tax revenue.</p>

News 12 Staff

Nov 13, 2018, 10:58 PM

Updated 1,984 days ago

Share:

Some Nassau County villages claim in a lawsuit that they are being short-changed when it comes to sales tax revenue.
Tracey Smith, of Freeport, says high taxes forced many of her neighbors to sell their homes and leave Long Island, calling her tax bill a burden.
Village of Freeport Mayor Robert Kennedy says Nassau County is partially to blame.
"Freeport generates over $15 million a year in sales tax; we received nothing last year," he says.
Freeport and 26 other villages are now suing Nassau County and the towns of Hempstead, North Hempstead and Oyster Bay.
In June, Kennedy said the villages were not receiving their fair share of sales tax revenue from the county. They also argued that the towns are benefiting by utilizing village population numbers to drive up their own shares of the revenue, without providing any in-kind services to the villages.
Kennedy says he'd still like to strike a deal with Nassau County Executive Laura Curran, but he also notes that her stance on the issue has changed over the last year-plus.
"I think that you deserve your fair share of the sales tax," Curran said in October 2017, before she was elected.
But earlier this year while addressing a group of village mayors, she appeared to change course.
"If it were in my discretion, I would not be paying this out," Curran said in February 2018.
Kennedy says Freeport generally receives about $100,000 per year in sales tax revenue, which he says equates to mere pennies.
Curran's office and the towns of North Hempstead, Hempstead and Oyster Bay all declined to comment.


More from News 12
2:05
Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

Long Island native ID’d as person who set himself on fire outside Trump trial in Manhattan

1:35
Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

Cloudy start to the weekend before sun comes through

0:37
Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

Officials: Wildlife rehabilitator took raccoons into her Merrick home without required rabies license

1:42
FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

FBI on alert as Jewish Long Islanders prepare to celebrate Passover

0:22
East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

East Northport man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing great niece

1:44
Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

Islandia woman turns 106, offers secret to long life

2:28
Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

Islanders owner surprises fans with free playoff tickets

0:35
Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

Calverton man pleads guilty to attempted murder charges related to opening fire at Bellport vigil

1:46
Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

Alleged Gilgo Beach serial killer’s defense attorney demands information on other ‘top suspect’

0:51
Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

Baldwin students learn business skills with 'Little Lenox Bakery'

0:35
Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

Tesla recalling nearly 4,000 Cybertrucks because accelerator pedal can get stuck

1:46
Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

Gov. Hochul announces harsher penalties for illegal smoke shops

2:10
News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

News 12 provides tips on the do's and don'ts of recycling

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Is your mom awesome? Long Island tell us why your Mom Rocks!

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

Show off your team spirit! Share your photos with News 12

1:55
The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

The Real Deal: How tipping trends have changed in the tri-state area

0:13
Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

Officials: West Babylon home destroyed by fire

0:47
Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

Cafe 217 provides students with autism chance for work experience at East Rockaway HS

0:42
Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

Community raises $12,000 for workers of Merrick bar closed due to fire

0:23
Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road

Police: Hempstead man stole parking meters near Jericho Turnpike and Roslyn Road