BUDGET MESSAGE OF THE INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST HILLS
Dear East Hills Family,
We have adopted our Budget for 2025/ 2026 WITHOUT A TAX RATE INCREASE. This is the 15th year in a row we have been able to do this with grants, careful planning and watching our expenses.
Below is my Budget Message for your review.
Best,
Michael R. Koblenz, Mayor
2025/2026
BUDGET MESSAGE OF THE
INCORPORATED VILLAGE OF EAST HILLS
by
Michael R. Koblenz, Mayor
As the Mayor and Chief Budget Officer of East Hills, I am proud to announce that for a Fifteenth year in a row, the budget in East Hills contains an unprecedented zero tax increase for our residents. Fifteen years without tax increases no doubt sets a record among all surrounding municipalities. The continued passage of our budget without a tax increase required considerable constraint without sacrificing any services to our residents.
We are proud that we continued to earn one of Moody’s highest bond ratings, Aa1, of any Village our size. We are also invigorated that this past year we once again received a strong and vibrant evaluation on the financial stress tests given by the New York State Comptroller.
East Hills continues to be one of the most sought-after communities on Long Island. Our off-
spring and the next generation of children continue to move back into our community.
I thank my fellow Board Members, Deputy Mayor Brian Meyerson and Trustees Manny Zuckerman, Clara Pomerantz, and Stacey Siegel for their support for this budget and other issues that confront the Village, including security, pollution, employment matters, new vehicles, road replacement, union contracts, and code revisions. I want to express my gratitude to our Village Staff, Village Justice Howard Jaslow, Associate Justice Peter Zuckerman, Village Attorney Bill Burton, Village Clerk Donna Gooch, Village Building Inspector Tom Murphy, Code Enforcer James Trotto, Superintendent of Public Works John Salerno, Park and Recreational Director Dave Squillante, and Security Director Jason Schwartz. It should be stressed that Village taxes generally amount to only 16-17% of all taxes paid by our residents. Yet, even with our rather limited portion of all taxes paid, we shoulder the entire costs of sanitation, snow removal, paving our roads, security, the pool, the park, fees for Nassau County Police, administration for our programs and a One Million Dollar contract with Roslyn Highlands and Roslyn Rescue for fire protection in our Village.
This Budget Ensures the Finest Services and Facilities will be continued in East Hills:
Best Services – for sanitation, security, road re-pavement, snow removal, beautification, tree trimming and replacement, administration of the Justice Court for traffic and code violations, and administration of our village services, laws, regulations and services.
Best Facilities – The tennis courts, basketball courts, and now three new pickle ball courts, community lounge, swimming pool, Park Grille, Snow Mountain, nature trails, Dog Park, walking, jogging and biking paths, and sports fields.
The Budget Helps Provide Excellent Village Events and Programs:
Spectacular Village-wide Events – This year we will again hold our incomparable Fire Works Extravaganza. We continue to enthusiastically support Baseball for Roslyn Little League and Challengers, Women’s Softball, Young Children’s Flag Football, Concerts if possible, and the Blood & Pill Drive.
East Hills Social Committee – Due to the hard work and commitment of the co-chairs the Village now has another highly successful program of events with outside lecturers, and a book club which meets regularly. Additional events are in the planning stage.
The Budget Ensures Our Residents are Informed of News:
Up to the Minute Village News and Dynamic Website – We will continue to provide regularly “Messages from the Mayor” which contain important information for the residents through emails. We also offer, through this program, immediate responses to issues, questions, or suggestions made by residents. The messages inform our residents of various weather concerns, and contain important information provided by the Nassau County Police Department relating to safety issues. We also provide an updated website and publications, including a one-of-a-kind East Hills Calendar.
New Village of East Hills App – The “MY EAST HILLS” App is available for download now in the Apple and Google Play online stores. The App is a great source of information for news, events, emergency notifications, and important links to the website. We encourage you to download the App in order to receive up-to-date info relating to the Park and Village.
The Budget is Contained by Utilizing Dedicated Volunteers as follows:
Our cost savings are due, in part, thanks to our dedicated residents who serve as volunteers on our various committees. We will continue to enlist the finest talented residents to volunteer their time and effort.
Our Boards and Committees include the Board of Zoning and Appeals, the Planning Board, the Architectural Review Board, Tennis Committee, Kids in the Park Committee, Security Committee, East Hills Social Committee, and other committees which can be found on the Village website.
The Budget Protects and Safeguards the Health and Safety of Our Residents:
Safety remains our number one priority and the budget provides the means to achieve these important objectives. For the past couple of years, almost all incidences have involved unlocked cars with key fobs left in the vehicles. Our residents must stay alert and take the keys to their cars, leave the lights on at night, and call 911 if they see any suspicious activity.
Our Security Entrance Cameras have added another layer of detection and deterrence which review is only available to the Nassau County Police Department.
The Annual Budget includes a Robust Repaving Program for our Roads:
We continue to have a very comprehensive road re-pavement project. This program is necessary to respond to the extreme weather we now face in the Northeast. We thank the federal and state governments for their grants to help reduce the costs.
The Budget Ensure Open and Transparent Government:
We continue to be accessible to our residents through our unique “Instant Access Program.” We also schedule “Meetings with the Mayor” on weekends to give added open access with face-to-face meetings with the Mayor to discuss issues/complaints, ideas, and suggestions.
The Budget Provides for the Funds Necessary to Operate and Run the Justice Court System:
A significant portion of the funds raised from fines and penalties are added to the budget and offset other costs and expenses. My thanks to Village Justice Howard Jaslow, Associate Judge Peter Zuckerman, our Prosecutors and Village Court Clerk.
The Budget Continues to Protect the Enviable Lifestyle in East Hills:
The Village’s Code Enforcement ensures the lifestyle. Whether it is finding and stopping construction after hours, excessive noise, an absence of necessary permits, or improper protections at work sites, the Code Enforcement Staff vigilantly enforce our local laws.
Continuing to Fully Fund the Volunteer Firefighters – The Village budget provides for a fire contract in excess of one million dollars ($1,000,000) for the Roslyn Fire Companies for firefighting, equipment, trucks, and retirement fund for Roslyn Highlands, Roslyn Rescue and their ambulance services.
Fostering Beautification – Through our Department of Public Works and our Parks and Recreation Supervisor we will continue to maintain and improve all areas of the Village clean and picturesque. We will continue to plant flowers, trees, and bushes. Falling trees on roads are extremely dangerous and present potential liabilities for our village. We continue to examine trees on our right of way to protect motorists and pedestrians.
The Budget Continues to Support and Sponsor Environmental Programs:
“Green Day” – We continue to encourage recycling and buying fuel-efficient vehicles.
Continue the Special Pick-up Program – We are continuing the one-time special pick-up for free. The program runs during the months of March through October and allows our residents to discard their unnecessary bulk items.
Continue to Comply with Federally Mandated Storm Water Requirements – Our Village participates and complies with all Federal mandates on runoff and spill programs. We continue to institute all added measures necessary to support this important effort.
Conclusions and Strong Budgetary Projections for the Upcoming Budgetary Year:
With our fiscal condition strong, our Village continues to be a trend-setter. We will, through this zero percent increase in taxes, preserve the finest services, programs, events and facilities for East Hills. At the same time, we will protect the safety and well-being of our residents through our Security Department and our camera system and Nassau County Police.
Through this budget and the close cooperation of the Board, we have implemented – for the Fifteenth Year in a Row – a zero increase in taxes in East Hills. It is an accomplishment we are proud of achieving. This is a challenge that was met head-on, even with necessary repairs and enhancements to the Park, equipment, rising health care costs, added fire and police protection costs, and increased compensation for our employees.
We, therefore, are proud to present for adoption the 2025/2026 Budget.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL R. KOBLENZ
