By Eric Tamiso
A meeting was held that decided the financial future of Nassau County for the next calendar year and beyond on Oct. 26 in Mineola.
The $2.3 billion budget for 2007 was approved with some amendments that were passed unanimously. Though, there were some people from civic departments that walked away disappointed.
Some people thought that it would be tough for the legislature to pass the budget by the Oct. 30 deadline, but it was passed with a few days to spare thanks to work done by members in both parties of the legislature.
“Over the past month, we have held budget meetings for each legislative committee which gave the members of the legislature to hear from members of the administration,” said Craig Johnson (D-Port Washington.) “The budgeting process is obviously a lengthy one in which each item is carefully scrutinized to ensure taxpayer dollars are being well spent.”
The changes to the budget amounted to $3.8 million that boosted funding for numerous social services. Money was changed from certain areas and was focused into programs for behavioral mental health services, which received $600,000. The youth board received a total of $1.1 million to restore funding for community-based organizations and to hire people in data collection. Senior citizens received $275,000 to restore community-based groups as well.
The money for these, and other groups receiving extra money came from several areas that will not feel the loss that much. Two million dollars came from the shifting of payment to the town of North Hempstead for taking over control of a park. North Hempstead was to initially get a $3 million lump sum, but the Legislature decided to pay it over three years equally. Another money saving tactic was to take 1 percent off OTPS (other than personal services). That department deals with office supplies such as paper and pens, and the 1 percent reduction across the board saved roughly $1 million. Majority presiding officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) said she felt what was needed to be done was done.
We have shifted some priorities in the 2007 budget in order to fund health, safety and quality of life programs that assist the county’s most vulnerable residents,” said Jacobs. “These initiatives have always been, and will continue to be, a top priority for the majority members of this legislature.”
Immediately following the opening of the 6 p.m. meeting that began at 6:25, Nassau County Clerk Maureen O’Connell stepped to the podium and pled her case that her department had to have more staff members to survive. There are currently 102 full time employees in her office, where O’Connell said there is desperate need for 19 more. Her office processes approximately 70,000 supreme court cases, which amounts to 86 percent for the entire state of New York. O’Connell also added that her office generates $14 million in revenue, but additional money was not allocated for more staff.
“My staff is overburdened and overworked,” said O’Connell. “I have given you ample reasons for more money.”
Jacobs denied her request, saying it would not be possible to give her department extra money for staffing without raising taxes. Jacobs said there was nothing else they could do with the budget that was handed down by County Executive Thomas Suozzi.
“There’s nothing we can do, we were presented a budget and we have done as much as we can to help those in need,” said Jacobs. “Without raising taxes, there is no way to fulfill your request.”
Minority leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) disagreed with Jacobs’ assessment. He said that $430,000 should be given to the clerk’s office for more full time staff members. The Democrats found $8.1 million dollars in the budget that could be cut away. When both of these motions went to vote they were denied 10 to 9 by the legislature, which has a Democratic majority.
The Republicans also had two amendments denied by a majority. One was to give $3 million more to the county youth board. The other was regarding adding 150 police officers and adding more superior officers. This would have cost around $3 million. These two amendments came from the $8.1 million the Democrats found that could be used differently. Like the two other denied amendments, the vote was split 10 to 9.
Along with the budget for Nassau County being passed, the budget for the legislature passed unanimously. The budget is a little more than $9.1 million. In a rush to leave, legislators waived reading the entire document out loud and just voted. The same process was repeated when they voted unanimously for the multi-year financial plan and changing tax rates for the county. The multi-year plan runs through 2010.