Smyth Wants Huge Huntington Tax Increase - But Gave Himself "Lifetime Health Insurance"

By Leader Staff

Huntington Supervisor Ed Smyth (R-Halesite) has declared it to be "fiscal suicide" unless the town increases 2027 taxes - by piercing the state's 2% municipal tax cap.

Smyth sprung this "crisis" on the town board in August, just two months after his Comptroller declared the town's finances in good order.

Smyth now claims that town departmental budgets will have to be cut by 16% - unless taxes are raised far above the 2% tax increase allowed by the state tax cap.  The current budget shortfall totals about $16 million - according to Smyth - for a total budget of about $250 million.

Smyth has massively increased salaries for his personal aides in the Supervisor's office, and voted himself new benefits like "lifetime health insurance" for himself and political appointees, costing town taxpayers tens of millions. 

A recent expose in the Northport Observer noted that Smyth's Supervisor's office costs taxpayers over $6 million per year, whereas the neighboring Town of Smithtown Supervisor's office coats only about $800,000 per year.

Smyth has threatened to close town park facilities - and has already shut beaches - unless he gets a tax increase over the 2% cap. He must file the proposed 2027 budget with the Town Board before September 30th.