February 22, 2011

Comptroller Maragos Joins with Other NY County Comptrollers to Announce the Formation of the New York State Elected County Comptrollers’ Association (NYSECCA)

Association Will Ensure the Effective Use of Government Resources Across New York

Nassau County Comptroller George Maragos and the other elected comptrollers from across the state announced the newly formed New York State Elected County Comptrollers’ Association (NYSECCA), a non-partisan collaboration committed to protecting the integrity and independence of their oversight role in county government. 

"As Comptroller for Nassau County my top priority is ensuring the taxpayers are receiving the most efficient and cost effective services possible,” Comptroller Maragos said. “Joining with my colleagues across the state to exchange ideas and strategies is a common sense approach to providing greater oversight for our taxpayers.”

"There is a synergy among us that strengthens our roles,” according to Ulster County Comptroller Elliott Auerbach.   “We find that we face many of the same challenges and working together we add value to the results we produce,” said Auerbach.

"County Comptrollers hold a unique position across New York State. We all are committed to promoting the efficient and effective use of government resources,” said Erie County Comptroller Mark Poloncarz, “and we enhance our service when we share expertise.” 

The eight elected county comptrollers are:

Michael Connors of Albany County                  518-447-7130

James Coughlan of Dutchess County     845-486-2056

Mark Poloncarz of Erie County                         716-858-8404            

George Maragos of Nassau County                  516-571-2386

Joseph Timpano of Oneida County                   315-798-5780

Robert Antonacci of Onondaga County 315-435-2130

Joseph Sawicki, Jr. of Suffolk County   631-853-5040

Elliott Auerbach of Ulster County                      845-340-3529

The mission of NYSECCA is to promote and protect the essential independence of comptrollers, strengthen their oversight role, protect the integrity of local government decision-making from increased state interference, provide opportunities for joint self-reflection, and to share expertise and best practices.

The position of elected county comptroller exists in counties governed by locally adopted charters.  As a result, each comptroller’s job description varies slightly with the most significant difference being that three of the eight are also the chief fiscal officer of their county.

NYSECCA is a collaboration with no established hierarchy.  Individual comptrollers may be reached for comment at the phone numbers above.

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