One year after a historic tax hike, the Town of Hempstead could be line for a major tax cut. Recently appointed Supervisor John Ferretti made the announcement Thursday, proposing an 18% cut to the general fund for 2026, which he says would result in $5 million in savings from the tax levy. He says a reduction in the town's workforce, to its lowest levels in over a decade, will help to cut costs, while assuring residents it will not compromise service quality. The town board will vote on the proposal at their budget meeting on Oct. 16. Meanwhile, Democratic candidate for Town of Hempstead Supervisor Joe Scianablo tells News 12 in a statement: "Let me be clear, town residents need and deserve lower taxes. They also deserve transparency. The illegally appointed Supervisor John Ferretti is just shifting numbers around in the budget and calling it a tax cut. If Ferretti and his Republican allies truly wanted to save taxpayers' money, the first thing they’d do is return the hefty raises they quietly gave themselves, not cook up political theater and budget shell games to cover their tracks. If you are going to set the fire and then claim credit for putting the fire out, then go the entire distance. This is exactly why, on day one as Supervisor, I will launch a full audit to expose every shady practice, every back-room deal, and every misuse of taxpayer money that Ferretti and the Republican machine are trying to keep in the dark."