Mineola, NY - Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) was joined by her Democratic colleagues in approving the 2002-2003 budget for Nassau Community College at the July 22 legislative meeting.

The legislature also unanimously approved a resolution to rename Nassau Beach after former Nassau County Executive Eugene Nickerson, who passed away recently. The park will now be named Eugene H. Nickerson Memorial Beach.

Other items approved at the July 22 legislative meeting:

• A bond ordinance of $6 million to finance the installation or modification of traffic signals countywide
• An ordinance establishing a new fee schedule for ambulance services provided by the Nassau County Police Department
• An ordinance appropriating $178,000 for the Drinking Water Enhancement Grant, which will be used to protect and enhance public water supply in Nassau County through evaluation of volatile organic chemical removal systems
• An ordinance appropriating $10,000 for the Hepatitis C Education Program through a grant from the National Association of County and City Health Officials
• A resolution appointing Frank J. Ryan to the position of director of the Department of Purchasing
• A resolution authorizing the transfer of appropriations from the Health Department, Public Health Contractual Services in the amount of $100,000 to the Health Department, Public Health, Materials and Supplies

In committee meetings, legislators approved the following three local laws. The full legislature will vote on the measures at the August 5 legislative meeting.

• A bill that will require contractors performing work for the County to have apprenticeship training programs
• Legislation aimed at promoting good sportsmanship that would require all athletes and parents who use county-owned fields or properties to sign a Fair Play Agreement stating that they support the goal of good sportsmanship
• A bill that would work to ensure that minority- and women-owned businesses are given the opportunity for meaningful participation in the performance of county contracts

In addition, legislation to authorize the Nassau County Planning Commission to submit an application for designation of certain areas within Nassau County to be designated an Empire Zone was approved in committee. The zone is intended to stimulate private investment and private business development and job creation through special incentives.

Another measure that would require non-exempt employees to pay into their health insurance was tabled in committee.