L E G I S L A T I V E C A L E N D A R
| NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE | MINEOLA, NEW YORK |
THIRTY-THIRD MEETING |
OCTOBER 28, 2011 11:00 A.M. |
Meeting Minutes:
Full
Legislature Meeting
THE NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE IS COMMITTED TO MAKING ITS PUBLIC MEETING ACCESSIBLE TO INDIVIDUALS WITH DISABILITIES. IF, DUE TO A DISABILITY, YOU NEED AN ACCOMMODATION OR ASSISTANCE TO PARTICIPATE IN THE PUBLIC MEETING OR TO OBTAIN A COPY OF THE TRANSCRIPT OF THE PUBLIC HEARING IN AN ALTERNATIVE FORMAT IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE PROVISIONS OF THE AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT, PLEASE CONTACT THE OFFICE OF THE CLERK OF THE LEGISLATURE AT 571-4252, OR THE NASSAU COUNTY OFFICE FOR THE PHYSICALLY CHALLENGED AT 227-7101 OR TDD TELEPHONE NO. 227-8989. AS PER THE NASSAU COUNTY FIRE MARSHALL’S OFFICE, THE LEGISLATIVE CHAMBER HAS A MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF 251 PEOPLE AND THE OUTER CHAMBER WHICH WILL STREAM THE MEETING LIVE, HAS A MAXIMUM OCCUPANCY OF 72. PASSES WILL BE DISTRIBUTED ON A FIRST COME FIRST SERVED BASIS BEGINNING AT 10:30 AM AND ATTENDEES WILL BE GIVEN AN OPPORTUNITY TO SIGN IN TO ADDRESS THE LEGISLATURE FOR A MAXIMUM OF THREE MINUTES.
EVERY LEGISLATIVE MEETING IS STREAMED LIVE ON
http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Legis/index.html
- HEARING ON PROPOSED ORDINANCE 160-2011
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE NASSAU COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH 2012 FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012; TO APPROPRIATE REVENUES AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEYS TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION WITHIN THE TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR COUNTY; COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION, SAFETY, COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION FUND; COUNTY POLICE HEADQUARTERS; COUNTY POLICE DISTRICT; COUNTY DEBT SERVICE; COUNTY SEWER AND STORM WATER RESOURCES DISTRICT; COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY; AND COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PURPOSES FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED 2012 FISCAL YEAR; AND TO RE-APPROPRIATE FOR THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR UNEXPENDED BALANCES IN THE CAPITAL FUND, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY, THE NASSAU COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COUNTY LAW, THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW AND CHAPTER 14 OF THE LAWS OF 1995. 447-11(OMB)
- HEARING ON AMENDMENTS TO PROPOSED ORDINANCE 160-11
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE NASSAU COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH 2012 FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012; TO APPROPRIATE REVENUES AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEYS TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION WITHIN THE TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR COUNTY; COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION, SAFETY, COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION FUND; COUNTY POLICE HEADQUARTERS; COUNTY POLICE DISTRICT; COUNTY DEBT SERVICE; COUNTY SEWER AND STORM WATER RESOURCES DISTRICT; COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY; AND COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PURPOSES FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED 2012 FISCAL YEAR; AND TO RE-APPROPRIATE FOR THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR UNEXPENDED BALANCES IN THE CAPITAL FUND, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY, THE NASSAU COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COUNTY LAW, THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW AND CHAPTER 14 OF THE LAWS OF 1995. 447-11(OMB)
- VOTE ON PROPOSED LOCAL LAW NO. -2011
A LOCAL LAW AMENDING LOCAL LAW NO. 18-1984, AS LAST AMENDED BY LOCAL LAW NO. 23-2009 AND AS INCORPORATED IN CHAPTER 4 OF TITLE 9 OF THE MISCELLANEOUS LAWS OF NASSAU COUNTY, IN RELATION TO IMPOSING ADDITIONAL RATES OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES AUTHORIZED BY SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED TEN OF THE TAX LAW AND CONTINUING A LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AUTHORIZED BY SECTION TWELVE HUNDRED SIXTY-TWO-E OF THE TAX LAW. 428-11(OMB)
- ORDINANCE NO. 159-2011
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE BUDGET FOR THE COUNTY LEGISLATURE FOR THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH 2012 FISCAL YEAR BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012 AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012 AND TO APPROPRIATE REVENUES FOR SAID BUDGET PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY; THE NASSAU COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE; THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW, THE COUNTY LAW, THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK AND CHAPTER 14 OF THE LAWS OF 1995. 456-11(LE)
- ORDINANCE NO. 160-2011
AN ORDINANCE TO ADOPT THE NASSAU COUNTY BUDGET FOR THE TWELVE-MONTH 2012 FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012; TO APPROPRIATE REVENUES AND THE TOTAL AMOUNT OF MONEYS TO BE RAISED BY TAXATION WITHIN THE TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR COUNTY; COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION, SAFETY, COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION FUND; COUNTY POLICE HEADQUARTERS; COUNTY POLICE DISTRICT; COUNTY DEBT SERVICE; COUNTY SEWER AND STORM WATER RESOURCES DISTRICT; COUNTY PUBLIC UTILITY AGENCY; AND COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL FUND PURPOSES FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED 2012 FISCAL YEAR; AND TO RE-APPROPRIATE FOR THE 2012 FISCAL YEAR UNEXPENDED BALANCES IN THE CAPITAL FUND, PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY, THE NASSAU COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COUNTY LAW, THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE GENERAL MUNICIPAL LAW AND CHAPTER 14 OF THE LAWS OF 1995. 447-11(OMB)
- ORDINANCE NO. 161 -2011
AN ORDINANCE FIXING THE TAX RATES AND LEVYING TAXES FOR THE TWELVE- MONTH 2012 FISCAL YEAR, BEGINNING JANUARY 1, 2012, AND ENDING DECEMBER 31, 2012, UPON TAXABLE PROPERTIES WITHIN THE TOWNS AND CITIES OF THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR COUNTY; COUNTY FIRE PREVENTION, SAFETY, COMMUNICATION AND EDUCATION FUND; COUNTY POLICE HEADQUARTERS; COUNTY POLICE DISTRICT; NASSAU COMMUNITY COLLEGE; COUNTY ENVIRONMENTAL BOND FUND; NASSAU COUNTY SEWER AND STORM WATER RESOURCES DISTRICT; AND FOR THE AFOREMENTIONED 2012 FISCAL YEAR FOR TOWN, TOWN HIGHWAY, TOWN GENERAL FUND, TOWN GENERAL FUND-PART TOWN, TOWN SPECIAL DISTRICT, UNPAID WATER CHARGES IN ARREARS, TOWN SIDEWALK AND CURB ASSESSMENT AND OTHER LAWFUL PURPOSES AND ALLOCATING REVENUES FROM CERTAIN SALES TAXES IMPOSED WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU OUTSIDE OF THE CITY OF LONG BEACH AND DETERMINING THE EQUALIZATION RATES IN RELATION THERETO AND AUTHORIZING AND DIRECTING THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE AND THE CLERK OF THE NASSAU COUNTY LEGISLATURE TO EXECUTE SEPARATE TAX WARRANTS ADDRESSED TO THE RECEIVERS OF TAXES OF THE TOWNS AND CITIES WITHIN THE COUNTY OF NASSAU FOR THE COLLECTION OF THE SEVERAL SUMS MENTIONED THEREIN; PURSUANT TO THE PROVISIONS OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY AND THE NASSAU COUNTY ADMINISTRATIVE CODE, THE REAL PROPERTY TAX LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, THE COUNTY LAW, THE LOCAL FINANCE LAW, THE TAX LAW, THE TOWN LAW AND THE EDUCATION LAW OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, AND CHAPTER 14 OF THE LAWS OF 1995. 448-11(OMB)
- RESOLUTION NO. 297-2011
A RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE MULTI-YEAR FINANCIAL PLAN FOR FISCAL YEARS 2012-2015, AS REQUIRED BY SECTION 310 OF THE COUNTY GOVERNMENT LAW OF NASSAU COUNTY, AND ALL FINANCIAL POLICIES INCLUDED THEREIN. 449-11(OMB)
- ORDINANCE NO. 148-2011
AN ORDINANCE TO AMEND ORDINANCE NO. 404-C-1968, AS AMENDED, IN RELATION TO IMPOSING AN ADDITIONAL RATE OF SALES AND COMPENSATING USE TAXES AND TO CONTINUE THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE PROGRAM FOR TOWNS AND CITIES IN NASSAU COUNTY. 444-11(OMB)
PUBLIC NOTICEPUBLIC NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN, that in accordance with section 304 of the County Government Law of Nassau County, the Nassau County Legislature will hold a public hearing on the proposed County budget, submitted by the County Executive, for the fiscal year 2012, as well as the Multi-Year Plan for 2012-2015, and the levying of taxes, on Friday, October 28, 2011 at 11:00 AM in the Legislative Chamber, Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building, 1550 Franklin Avenue, Mineola, New York 11501. As per the Nassau County Fire Marshall’s Office, the Legislative Chamber has a maximum occupancy of 251 people and the outer chamber which will stream the meeting live, has a maximum occupancy of 72. Passes will be distributed on a first come first served basis beginning at 10:15 AM and attendees will be given an opportunity to sign in to address the Legislature for a maximum of three minutes. The Nassau County Legislature is committed to making its public meetings accessible to individuals with disabilities and every reasonable accommodation will be made so that they can participate. Every Legislative meeting is streamed live on http://www.nassaucountyny.gov/agencies/Legis/index.html. Clerk of the Nassau County Legislature The following is a message from County Executive Mangano as required by County Charter Section 304 along with a summary of the proposed expenditures and revenues. |
OFFICE OF THE COUNTY EXECUTIVE
THE THEODORE ROOSEVELT EXECUTIVE & LEGISLATIVE BUILDING
1550 FRANKLIN AVENUE
MINEOLA, NEW YORK 11501
516-571-3131
September 15, 2011
Dear Fellow Taxpayer,
We live in challenging fiscal times. Nassau faces a projected $310 million deficit from ever-rising pension and health care costs, unfunded mandates, a stagnant economy, and poor municipal practices. Residents have faced job losses, seniors and families have been displaced by mortgage foreclosures, and retirement and college savings have vanished. Citizens have witnessed the government tax and spend them into the highest taxed county in the nation, seniors have watched the stock market swallow up their savings, 40-somethings have watched their children’s college savings plans fail, and young families are saddled with huge mortgage or rental payments as fallout from the great mortgage financing scam. All of these actions have one common theme – they enrich a select few at the cost of your hard-earned money. In order for tomorrow to be better than today, my budget exposes Nassau's ills and provides a painful path back to fiscal health. Simply put, my budget forces Nassau County to live within its means.
My budget holds the line on property taxes for the second year in a row.
Nassau homeowners and employers already pay the highest property taxes in the nation. Residents have sent a strong “spend-less, tax-less” message to elected officials in all levels of governments.
I reduce year-over-year spending by $63 million dollars.
This is the first time Nassau has spent less in over a generation. My budget changes the culture of taxing and spending, which has brought us to where we are today. I have included in my budget significant reductions to the workforce, tens of millions of dollars in spending cuts, and reforms to presently unaffordable labor contracts.
Through layoffs and attrition, my budget reduces the County workforce by over 1,000 positions.
Labor costs make up half of Nassau's budget. My budget tackles labor costs head on by implementing reforms that produce $210 million in recurring savings. Nassau will have 20% fewer employees than in 2009 – the year prior to when I took office. To further protect taxpayers from increasing costs, Nassau County workers will no longer receive free health insurance. A 25% employee contribution will be required, which is in line with what other municipal employees pay in New York State. Additionally, Nassau County will stop giving employees annual $600 education stipends for expenses they do not incur.
My budget implements a “More Cops on the Streets, Less in the Seats” Program.
This “More Cops on the Streets, Less in the Seats” Program achieves meaningful savings through contemporary approaches to police contracting and by maximizing our technological resources. Simply put, it enhances crime fighting while reducing wasteful contractual practices that force taxpayers to pay overtime when police are available at straight time pay. This is primarily accomplished by eliminating an archaic precinct-by-precinct minimum-manning contractual requirement that limits the Administrations’ ability to curtail overtime costs. The Nassau County Police Department is the only major police force in the nation to have such a wasteful and unnecessary arrangement.
To further reduce overtime costs and gain managerial flexibility over the workforce, I will consolidate eight precincts into six. Because police officers switch shifts in neighborhoods and not at precincts houses, this will only impact back-office operations and administrative functions. The only inconvenience will fall on criminals. To enhance my “More Cops on the Streets, Less in the Seats” Program, I will require police officers to work additional days annually by reducing the 61 paid days off a year that police officers presently receive.
While I expect some union leaders will attempt to skew this issue in the media, clearly, my actions will protect public safety and reduce costs. Rather than pontificate or litigate, I encourage all stakeholders to enter into meaningful negotiations immediately as resistance will only result in additional layoffs or furloughs. Working together, we can and will fix Nassau’s fiscal problems without undue service disruptions.
The solutions to our County finances rest not only with labor concessions but also with correcting costly legislation.
Nassau’s fiscal challenges are amplified by restrictions placed on it by New York State laws. Our County is the only municipality in the State constrained by legislated assessment rules that benefit special interests to the tune of $2 billion. In order to stop the special interests, I have called on New York State to pass assessment reform legislation that mirrors laws in Connecticut and New Jersey. While the County Legislature and I have passed local legislation to reform Nassau’s broken property tax assessment system, it is time for the State Legislature to do the same.
Nassau County’s finances have been broken for over a decade. Fixing them will take the collective efforts of elected officials working together governmentally, rather than politically apart. The true cure lies with sobering honesty and cooperation.
Sincerely,
Edward P. Mangano
County Executive
