Introduction
Residents in certain parts of the Amityville and Farmingdale school districts have seen an alarming spike in their property tax bills this year. We understand the confusion and frustration this has caused, and we want to provide more clarity about why it happened and what is being done to address it.
Background on the Issue
The current problem stems from decisions made at the state level, specifically around how tax rates and equalization rates are calculated.
Each year, New York State assigns an “equalization rate” to determine the FMV for each municipality, which is then used to apportion the taxes. For the 2024 tax year, New York State froze Nassau County’s equalization rate. In contrast, Babylon’s equalization rate was adjusted downward, causing our FMV to increase measurably.
Impact on Farmingdale and Amityville
An Unfair Split Between Nassau and Suffolk
- Both Farmingdale and Amityville School Districts are split between Suffolk (Town of Babylon) and Nassau Counties, meaning tax levies are divided based on the respective share of the total fair market value (FMV) in each school district.
- This year, Nassau County’s “equalization rate” was left frozen, while Babylon’s rate was reduced, artificially inflating Babylon’s share of the FMV.
Farmingdale School District
- Due to this imbalance, Suffolk residents in the Farmingdale School District are now shouldering an estimated $5 million increase in total school taxes.
- Meanwhile, taxpayers in Nassau’s portion of the Farmingdale School District have seen their share drop by approximately $1 million—directly shifting the burden onto Babylon residents.
Amityville School District
- A similar issue arose in Amityville, where the portion of the district in Suffolk experienced an increase of around $3 million in total school taxes.
- At the same time, Amityville properties in Nassau County have seen their tax burden decrease—again placing an unfair share on Town of Babylon homeowners.
Key Points to Remember
Standing Up for Babylon Residents
Looking Ahead
- We will continue to provide updates on any progress, including legal actions and discussions with state representatives, as we push for a fair resolution.
- Although this issue did not begin at the Town level, we are fully committed to standing up for our neighbors and ensuring that the burden of school taxes is equitably shared.
Conclusion
We recognize the significant hardship these unexpected increases have imposed on homeowners in Amityville and Farmingdale. Your Town government is fighting to correct this grossly unfair situation and will not relent until a solution is found. Thank you for your patience and understanding as we work diligently on your behalf.
