Mineola, NY - Legislator Patrick Williams (D-Uniondale) joined the Democratic majority in approving a declaration of need which allows the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) to borrow funds on behalf of Nassau County. The measure was passed unanimously by the Legislature today. The financing for County purposes, part of the agreement between the County and NIFA, ensures a lower rate of interest for borrowing then if the County were to borrow for itself.

Other items on the calendar for the full Legislative meeting were:

• An ordinance appropriating $10,000 for the Arson Laboratory Improvement Programs. Expenses are 100% reimbursable by the New York Department of State.
• An ordinance appropriating $145,000 for Foster Grandparents Program. Expenses are 100% reimbursable by the Corporation for National Services.
• An ordinance appropriating $50,000 for the Safe Places Program (Hispanic Brotherhood of Rockville Centre). Expenses are 100% reimbursable by the NYS Office of Children and Family Services.
• An application with the New York State Health Department for State Aid Reimbursement for $10, 217,973 in NYS funds.
• An application for funding via the NYS Division of Criminal Justice Services which would allow the County to receive $44,770 in funds toward updating computer systems for the Office of the County Attorney, Family Court Bureau.
• A resolution to execute a grant application between the Department of Senior Citizen Affairs and the New York State Office for the Aging for transportation costs.
• A resolution to execute a grant agreement with the National Association of County and City Health Officials for a program entitled Prevention of Impaired Driving. The funds are 100% reimbursable by the National Association of County and Town officials.
• A resolution to authorize the County Board of Assessors to correct erroneous assessments and taxes in the Town of Hempstead.
• A resolution to authorize the County Board of Assessors to correct erroneous assessments and taxes in the Town of North Hempstead.
• A resolution to authorize the County Board of Assessors to correct erroneous assessments and taxes in the Town of Oyster Bay.

In the Rules Committee:

• Three personal service contracts between: the Traffic Safety Board and Winthrop University Hospital to fund a part-time public health physician to train local health and medical professionals in modern injury epidemilogy; the District Attorney and Nassau County Coalition Against Domestic Violence to provide counseling advocacy and other services to victims referred by police whose abusers have been arrested for a domestic violence incident; the Nassau County Department of Assessment with Joseph J. Donovan and Associates to provide real estate appraisals and expert testimony in Tax Cert proceedings.
• A resolution to award a blanket order for refuse and rubbish removal at 26 Nassau County locations.