Nassau County Legislature - District 16 Press Releases

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October 23, 2000

Advisory Panel To Review Multi-Level Government Services
Presiding Officer Jacobs Votes
To Provide Village Revenue Sharing

Saying millions could be saved through consolidation and reduction of duplicative multi-level governmental services, elected state and local officials joined Nassau County Presiding Officer Judy Jacobs (D-Woodbury) and Democratic Legislators at a press conference today, to announce plans to create an advisory panel with representatives from each town and city to research and analyze cost saving measures.

The panel would provide better communication and utilization of resources between the county and other government units around Nassau, ultimately creating savings for every taxpayer.

Presiding Officer Jacobs said the creation of such a panel would be the first step toward eliminating multi-level government services that may be duplicative. "This is an area that deserves thorough review to determine if and how much in savings can be realized through consolidation. Participation on the advisory panel is vitally important and we welcome the opportunity for a constructive exchange of information."

In addition, Presiding Officer Jacobs outlined specifics within the Majority delegation's proposed 2001 budget which would allocate $250,000 in revenue to be shared among Nassau County's 64 villages.

This is the first time that the county, which already participates in revenue sharing with its towns and cities, has earmarked any funds for the villages. Presiding Officer Jacobs said that while the $250,000 will generate a modest revenue stream for the villages, its represents a good faith effort on the part of the Majority caucus. The $250,000 will be divided among the villages based on population.

"I have long believed that providing villages in Nassau County with their fair share of county revenue was essential to creating equity among municipal governments. The taxpayers who live, work and shop in these villages are entitled to the same benefit afforded taxpayers in Nassau County's three towns and two cities. I am extremely pleased that the Democratic delegation recognized the importance of this and chose to include it in the budget," said Presiding Officer Jacobs in a joint statement released by the majority.