February 8, 2008

Comptroller Weitzman stands with Governor, County Exec & Civic Groups to Rally for Reforms of Special Districts

State budget calls for town control of commissioner-run garbage districts
& end to commissioner salaries

Nassau County Comptroller Howard S. Weitzman today stood with Governor Eliot Spitzer, County Executive Tom Suozzi and other top-elected officials and civic group leaders in a show of support for the Governor's proposed reforms of special taxing districts, changes that Weitzman has been speaking out and advocating since 2005.

"Nassau County taxpayers can be gratified that the Governor has taken the lead to cut spending by restructuring an archaic form of government," said Comptroller Weitzman."As our studies over the last three years have shown, the Governor's proposals will translate into lower government spending and tax relief for Nassau residents. The Governor has my total support as his proposals move through the Legislature."

In addition to the Comptroller and Governor, the group of supporters also includes County Executive Suozzi; Nassau County Board of Assessors Chairman Harvey Levinson, Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Jon Kaiman; Lisa Tyson, Executive Director of the Long Island Progressive Coalition (LIPC); Laura Mallay, Executive Director of Residents for Efficient Special Districts (RESD); and Pat Nicolosi of the East End Civic Association. The press conference was held at the Hofstra University's Axiim Library.

"Excessive layers of government have long burdened the taxpayers of New York State, especially here on Long Island," said Governor Eliot Spitzer. "There is a groundswell of support for reining in special districts and providing tax savings for residents. Many of these recommendations were created in response to initiatives from local government officials, such as County Executive Suozzi and County Comptroller Weitzman, who have shown vision and leadership in suggesting ways to streamline the delivery of services to their regions."

Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi stated: "New Yorkers can no longer stand paying the highest property taxes in the nation. Even as we explore the root causes and pursue efforts to responsibly cap property taxes, I commend the governor's efforts to reform the current system where some part-time commissioners are paid and many others, including fire, school and library trustees, aren't. Recent stories about some bad apples and abuses cast doubt on the entire system and reform is necessary. I applaud the governor for making these recommendations and taking action."

The Governor's proposed reforms are based on recommendations from the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, on which Comptroller Weitzman serves.

"I am very pleased that the Governor included so many recommendations from the commission in his budget, as well as these two major proposals which many civic leaders and I have recommended to the Commission at its hearings," Weitzman said. "One cannot underestimate the impact that civic groups and residents have had on this issue. Without their perseverance and call to reform special taxing districts, we would not be at the precipice of change."

Laura Mallay, executive director of Residents for Efficient Special Districts (RESD) said, "RESD fully supports Governor Spitzer's proposal to reform special taxing districts in New York. Through theefforts of Governor Spitzer, Nassau County Executive Tom Suozzi, Nassau County Comptroller Howard Weitzman, RESD, LIPC andmany others, we can achieve lowered taxes and more efficiently-delivered public services. Iextend an invitation toall of our local Assembly people and Senators to join us inthis bipartisan effort to address the property tax crisis here on Long Island."

Lisa Tyson Director for the Long Island Progressive Coalition said: "We applaud the Governor, Comptroller Weitzman and County Executive Tom Suozzi for their work to lower taxes by consolidating districts and ending Commissioner perks. The Long Island Progressive Coalition along with Residents for Efficient Special Districts is organizing a petition campaign to demonstrate the significant citizen support to consolidate districts and end perks for commissioners."

"The Town level of government is equipped to handle the responsibilities that would flow to the town under this new legislation," said Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Kaiman. "The Governor is taking a bold stand, but these times call for bold actions. We will work with the Governor, the County Executive and the Comptroller to ensure that all necessary services are provided at the highest level and efficiency."

• 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.
  
• 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.

In 2006 Weitzman held a countywide Conference on Nassau County Special Districts at Hofstra University with an eye on improving the efficiency and accountability of Nassau's 200 special tax districts. Under his urging, the Town of Hempstead agreed to join towns of North Hempstead and Oyster Bay to exercise its authority to review the budgets of special taxing districts. The Comptroller's Office has conducted important audits of the Westbury, Franklin Square and Hicksville Water Districts and the Great Neck Pollution Control Districts, among others and last year issued a Disparity Study of special taxing districts which showed that depending on where a person lives, he or she could be some paying far too much for garbage collection, water and fire protection. In April 2007, Weitzman was appointed by the Governor to the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency and Competitiveness, a panel charged with developing a plan to streamline government.

Nassau County has more than 200 special taxing districts which last year levied $491M in property taxes in Nassau County, according to the Comptroller.