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The Hempstead Town Board approved a tax hike for the 2025 budget on Tuesday evening. The board unanimously voted in favor of a $549 million spending plan and to pierce the state tax cap. Brian Devine, communications director for the Town of Hempstead, told News 12 the budget carries a 4.9% increase. “To be fiscally responsible and to be fiscally conservative, this is exactly the step that had to be done,” Devine said. As News 12 reported exclusively on Monday, the increase will cost incorporated village residents around $5 extra a year. Other residents in the town will play $60 extra annually. Town residents tell News 12 they are not happy about the increases. “We pay a lot of money in this town and we pay a lot of money to live here and it feels like we don’t get any services back.” said Brian Light, of North Bellmore. “I don’t believe our voices have been heard,” said Susan Olasoji, of Hempstead. ”