Citing "spiraling costs" for fire protection and fire service awards, plus costs for sanitation, road repairs, and salaries, the East Hills Board of Trustees approved a 1999-2000 budget that will include a small increase in the village tax rate to $8.85 per $100 of assessed property values.

The new tax rate will result in an average increase of 3.51 percent and approximately a range between $26.70 to $96.00 per household per year depending on the assessed value of individual homeowners.

Mayor Michael R. Koblenz said the "increasing certiorari tax grievances" and "decreasing tax income," plus decreased property assessments and revenues were also factors in determining the new budget.

In all, the budget will amount to $3,615,707 in expenditures and $585,888 in revenues, with the latter coming from departmental income, state aid, and gross utilities taxes. Property taxes account for the remainder of the revenue slice.

As in past budgets, $100,000 has been appropriated for any further litigation against the New York State Department of Transportation over the proposed Long Island Expressway expansion project. The village continues to oppose the expansion project on environmental, maintenance and school safety grounds.

"If we arrive at the point where major construction is about to commence and the village's concerns have not been satisfied, [then] we are prepared to seek an injunction against the New York State Department of Transportation within the framework of our existing litigation in order to prevent the work from proceeding," Mayor Koblenz wrote in the budget package's introduction.

On the public works front, Mayor Koblenz said the expanded sanitation program provided by village employees has resulted in savings of approximately $100,000 per year to village residents.

A $30,000 state grant secured by State Senator Michael Balboni will help with the installation of school-zone flashing lights on the eastbound service road of the Long Island Expressway in the vicinity of the Roslyn Middle School. Mayor Koblenz said the funds were obtained from the statewide shared services program for municipalities and school districts at no cost to village residents.

In addition, the village has completed grant applications to secure funds for the renewal of the historic Clarence H. Mackay Tree Line on Glen Cove Road.

Mayor Koblenz also said the village, once anticipated state funding comes through, will commence on a refurbishing program on all or part of the following East Hills roads and addresses: Henhawk Lane, Cardinal Drive (Talley Lane to Wren Drive), Deepwood Road, South Street, Boxwood Lane, Cedar Drive, 48 Sherrard Street, 14 Magnolia Lane, and 45 Poplar Drive.

The 1998-99 East Hills budget contained $307,000 in state aid, mainly through the efforts of Assemblymen Thomas DiNapoli and David Sidikman. However, this year, the mayor added, funds have been decreased due to state cutbacks and the elimination of special programs. The road resurfacing budget is $250,000, the same as last year's funding level, while the village counts on whatever state funding it can receive.