Town of Hempstead leaders are set to share information about a proposed tax hike for 2025 at public hearings on Tuesday - and News 12 obtained exclusive details.

Brian Devine, director of communications for the Town of Hempstead, released the following statement:

"Today’s Newsday story inaccurately represented proposed modest positive adjustments to property-based revenues in the proposed 2025 spending plan. The reality of the fact is that under this proposed plan, a homeowner in an incorporated village would see an average increase of $5 a year (which is less than a cup of coffee nowadays) and residents of unincorporated areas would see an average increase of about $60 a year. The Town of Hempstead has frozen or reduced the tax levy each year for the past 4 years. We have aggressively controlled costs that are within the Town’s discretion while employing cost-saving measures to offset the impact of cratering mortgage tax revenue and increases in the costs of unfunded state-mandate. In fact, the proposed 2025 spending plan pares down the Town’s workforce, saving taxpayers $16.6 million in payroll and associated costs. The Town looks forward to continuing to craft budgets that provide for the finest municipal services at the lowest possible cost."

News 12 also spoke with political strategist Mike Dawidziak about what, if any, implications there could be when it comes to a potential tax increase ahead of Election Day.

"In a presidential year, they probably care a lot less, you know their attention is much more focused on the national and international issues...their attention is really probably diverted, so if there ever was a year where you're going to raise taxes before Election Day, a presidential year is probably a good year to do it." Dawidziak said.

The public hearings are scheduled for Tuesday at 2:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. at Hempstead Town Hall.