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Riverhead BOE to discuss vets exemption, budget and audit

Local veterans attended last month's Riverhead school board meeting to hear a presentation about a new tax exemption program for veterans. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson, file)
Local veterans attended last month’s Riverhead school board meeting to hear a presentation about a new tax exemption program for veterans. (Credit: Jennifer Gustavson, file)

The Riverhead school board is holding a public hearing Tuesday night to discuss a new property tax exemption for local veterans.

In addition, the school board is expected to adopt Superintendent Nancy Carney’s proposed $121.28 million budget and vote on a resolution to accept a recently completed internal audit prepared by Questar III BOCES, according to the meeting’s agenda.

A vote on the veterans tax exemption may take place following the meeting, which is scheduled to start at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium.

School officials have estimated that if the school board approved the “basic maximum” exemption, then the school portion of property taxes for homeowners across the district would increase between $19.50 and $25 annually.

As for the 2014-15 budget, Ms. Carney has proposed a spending plan that’s under the state-mandated allowable tax levy rate of 2.4 percent, which represents the increased amount the school can collect from property taxes with a simple majority vote.

During the April 8 meeting, the school board was split on how to spend nearly $852,000 in additional state aid it secured recently with the passage of New York State’s 2014-15 spending plan.

The district’s budget vote and school board election, in which five residents are running for three open seats, is set for May 20.

Scroll down to view the meeting’s agenda and check back for an update.

Riverhead School Board Meeting Agenda, April 22, 2014