February 05, 2008

Weitzman Speaks Before L.I. Regional Planning Council On
Gov.’S Proposed Reforms Of Special Taxing Districts

Speaking today before the Long Island Regional Planning Council, Nassau County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman detailed the Governor’s proposal to reform special taxing districts, a move intended to reduce costs, end abuses and provide for better oversight.

“These budget proposals will help end decades of patronage, nepotism and misuse of taxpayer dollars,” Comptroller Weitzman said. “They address an area of government that is outdated and rampant with waste.”

The Regional Planning Council establishes linkage between communities to provide focus on issues best handled on a broad geographic scale and fosters the development of regional comprehensive planning. Comptroller Weitzman was asked to brief council members on the reforms and several other items in the state budget, including a proposal to replace elected tax assessors and receivers with appointed tax assessors and receivers, by January 1, 2012.

Since the Governor’s budget was presented on January 22, Comptroller Weitzman has spent much of his time speaking to the editorial boards of weekly papers, civic groups and other interested parties on the details of the proposed reforms.

“So far, the response has been overwhelmingly positive,” said Weitzman. “Most taxpayers who email my office or speak to me in person have said ‘It’s about time.’”

The first recommendation included in the budget calls for an end to salaries and benefits for special district commissioners; the second calls for commissioner-run sanitation districts to be placed under town management.

The proposal to end compensation and perks for Special District Commissioners would treat them the same as school board members or fire commissioners, who serve the community and receive no compensation.

“Let those wanting to serve their communities serve on these boards, minus the perks, the same as school board members and fire commissioners do,” said Weitzman.

The second proposal included in the Governor’s budget calls for commissioner-run sanitation districts to be subject to town management, which will help reduce costs, according to studies by Comptroller Weitzman.

“Placing commissioner-run sanitation districts under town management will not only increase transparency and accountability, but will reduce costs to taxpayers and eliminate millions of dollars in unnecessary spending in areas such as insurance, professional fees and no bid contracts,” Weitzman said.

Over the past three years, Comptroller Weitzman has taken a leadership role on the issue of special taxing districts.