Mineola, NY-An information technology (IT) initiative that would have propelled Nassau County into the 21st Century failed Monday after Republican Minority members refused to approve the $7 Million IT package.

While Democratic members all voted to approve the measure, the legislature needed a super majority of 13 votes to pass the bond to fund the ambitious IT package.

"Once again the Minority has stalled Nassau County's progress by refusing to approve this Information Technology (IT) package," said Nassau County Legislator Kevan Abrahams (D-Hempstead)."This plan would have assisted the IT Department in implementing a technologically advanced way of providing cost-effective governmental services to all citizens." said Abrahams.

Just two short years ago Nassau County received a failing grade from the Maxwell School of Public Policy as part of its nationwide study of over 40 of the largest counties in the country. Particularly distressing was the County's "D+" grade for its dismal information technology program, which still featured Wang computers and no access to online governmental services or internal email.

The IT department had presented a detailed and ambitious strategic three-year plan for the county, which includes consolidation of systems, a centralized data center and eGovernment services.

"Under the guidance of the IT department we should be making a long-term investment that will enable the county to provide essential governmental services better, cheaper and faster to all citizens," Abrahams said. "It's just good business sense."

The offering of services like online eGovernmental to citizens would bring Nassau County on a par with most other counties of its size in the country. eGovernment would enable citizens to pay parking tickets on line and file applications.

"eGovernment will enable the county to do more with less, while at the same time provide more or better services to the public," Abrahams said. "The county should be run like any efficient business, but we need the tools and the desire from all members to move the county forward."

The IT Department's Strategic Plan cited nearly 50 specific projects that need to complete in order to achieve the modernization envisioned by the administration. Many of these projects have already begun, and others were slated to start within the coming months following the approval of the bond.

Some of the major initiatives included:

• Email-Implementing a countywide email system. Nassau County has five different email systems, all from different vendors, which did not communicate with each other or share address books. These multiple email platforms provide service to only 51% of the employees, the rest had nothing!
• eGovernment-would enable constituents to pay parking tickets, apply for or renew fire alarm permits, look up or file complaints about home contractors, determine Medicaid eligibility, purchase a leisure pass, reserve golf tee times, apply for Department of Public Works permits, register and compete for county bids, receive automatic email bid notifications, download current county bids, appeal property taxes, sign up for exams and submit complaints and report waste.