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June 1, 2000

Jacobs & Dems demand Gulotta to abolish 56 County posts

Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) Democratic Majority called on County Executive Thomas Gulotta today to eliminate 56 non-union positions within the next month. Today's proposal by the Democrats further details a key element in their fiscal recovery plan presented to the County Executive several weeks ago. The County Executive has yet to implement or respond to the plan or any of Democratic Majority's specific initiatives.

"Nassau taxpayers elected us to change the way this County conducts business," said Presiding Officer Jacobs. "This is a very difficult decision, but we need to end the waste and streamline government. Our detailed fiscal recovery plan and this proposal send a message to all taxpayers and County officials that we are serious about that charge."

Savings from the elimination of the positions would total $14.4 million over the next four years; or $1.6 million for fiscal 2000 and a little more than $3 million each following year. With most of the County's 10,000 employees covered under the "lag-payroll" agreement recently adopted by four of the County's labor unions, the Democrat's initiative targets 10% of the 588 non-union administrative positions not covered under the agreement. The County-wide layoffs target departments and titles where sufficient staff would remain to handle the workload.

"We will not accept the bulk of County's savings being generated through cuts to the smallest and most vulnerable programs in the County," said Jacobs. "These positions are evenly distributed amongst the County's departments, and range from high level deputy commissioners to secretaries and administrative aides."

"These proposed cuts are the result of a thorough investigation into every County department and agency," said Jacobs. "We take no relish in advancing these tough measures, but we need to end the waste to help move Nassau County out of this fiscal crisis."