Casino Cash Cow for Islandia

Among the supporters at the recent groundbreaking for a new $342 million casino complex in Islandia were village officials who see the gambling mecca as a mega-revenue generator that will allow them to eliminate village taxes and other expenses to save the average resident upwards of $1,100 per year.

Speaking before a group of more than 100 dignitaries kicking off the construction of the 111,000-square-foot facility was former state Senator Phil Boyle, president and chief executive officer of the casino’s operator, Off Track Betting. “We owe a great deal of thanks and appreciation to the Village of Islandia, our partners in this ambitious effort,” Boyle noted. With approvals from the village in hand, officials wielded ceremonial gold shovels to remove the first loads of soil for the new facility.

“Together, we continue to demonstrate that local village governments can lower the tax burden on residents while, at the same time, improve the local quality of life,” said Islandia Mayor Allan M. Dorman. He noted that the village was able to eliminate the garbage tax for the 14th year in a row thanks to its Taxpayer Relief Agreement with Jake’s, saving residents an average of $500-$550 per year. The tax freeze comes on the heels of 50% tax cuts in both 2017 and 2018.

Residents expressing concern over increased traffic and parking on local streets were assuaged by a three-story parking garage planned for the expansion. The project will also include hundreds of upgraded rooms in the former Marriott hotel, as well as a conference center, restaurants, sports grille, concert venue, VIP lounge, and exhibition hall. The construction will employ more than 800 union workers and an additional 125 permanent jobs will be created. “Thousands of residents and tourists visit the renowned casino each day,” Boyle said. “It is one of the largest economic development projects in the region.”

The village is not alone in ringing up revenue from the popular casino. From the $23 million Jake’s rakes in monthly, the state Department of Education gets 45%, the New York Gaming Commission gets 10%, the New York horse industry gets 5%, and the OTB keeps 40% to fund its operations. The take is expected to double with the installation of 1,000 new video lottery terminals and electronic table games.

“As part of the agreement, upon completion of the expansion of the hotel and parking garage within two years, revenue for the village will more than double to $4.6 million per year for the next 20 years,” Mayor Dorman reported. “As a result, the agreement will eliminate the need for village property taxes beginning in 2025-2026 for the foreseeable future.”

The village is also working on an incentive program to help residents pay their school taxes. “We often hear that the high cost of living and taxes are driving forces for so many residents, especially our seniors, to leave Long Island. Combined with the elimination of the village and garbage taxes, this incentive program will help make Islandia one of the most attractive, and the most affordable, communities to live in on Long Island and will help many of our residents stay in the place where they raised their families and called home,” Dorman said.

Robert Chartuk

The mayor went on to say: “Our park continues to be one of the focal points with respect to improving the quality of life in our village. The First Responders Recreational Ball Field is a true state-of-the-art complex featuring ball fields for youth and community baseball and softball games, a concession stand, restrooms, a gazebo, a playground, and an exercise path with ten different exercise stations, in addition to new pickleball courts. The First Responders Recreation Ball Field and the 9/11 Memorial are both living up to the highest standards of giving recognition to our first responders, who sacrificed and continue to serve our communities.”

The mayor also reported the completion of a comprehensive street lighting program last year, replacing over 300 lights with more efficient and less costly LED units. “The new lighting is helping to enhance public safety and improve the aesthetics of our neighborhoods,” according to the mayor, who added that the village provided keys and deeds to houses for three female war veterans. In addition, the Col. Francis S. Midura Veterans of Foreign Wars Post #12144 celebrated its grand reopening with its expanded meeting space. The space will easily accommodate the current veterans during its monthly meetings and serve as a recruiting tool to attract more veterans, according to post officials.