Special Districts: Reforming Local Government

"The hundreds of special taxing districts in Nassau County are a major source of government waste and high taxes. This area is long overdue for a serious review with the goal of reducing the property tax burden on Nassau residents."
 -Comptroller Howard Weitzman

Left, Comptroller Weitzman compares the random cost of special district services to spinning a 'wheel of fortune'.

2009
10-30-09	News Release- Weitzman audit finds upon retiring, father gives son keys to his sanitation district Limited Review of Compensation and Fringe Benefits for Sanitary District No. 7- Town of Hempstead
04-20-09	News Release- What 'special opinion' do Howard Weitzman and Tom Brokaw have in common?
2008
12-05-08	News Release- Weitzman declares two water districts serve no purpose and should be absorbed by larger neighboring districts Commissioner-Run Water Districts That Serve No Purpose
11-25-08	News Release- Weitzman finds many water districts squirrel away so much money they could operate for years without new revenue Commissioner-Run Water Districts in Nassau County-2007 Fund Balance
06-16-08	News Release- Weitzman announces county's independent report on consolidation of garbage districts confirms taxpayers would save millions if Albany lawmakers approve Gov's special district proposals Consolidation Analysis and Implementation Plan: Solid Waste
05-22-08	News Release- Weitzman testifies before State Attorney General on special district payroll abuses
04-30-08	News Release- Weitzman and State Commission issue recommendations to control property taxes by streamlining government Report: 21st Century Local Government: Report of the New York State Commission on Local Government Efficiency & Competitiveness
03-12-08	News Release- Weitzman to conduct sweeping review of consultants on special district payrolls Comptroller Weitzman's letter to special districts to report about consultants on payrolls
02-08-08	News Release- Comptroller Weitzman stands with Governor, County Executive & Civic groups to rally for reforms of special districts
02-05-08	News Release- Weitzman speaks before L.I. Regional Planning Council on Gov.'s proposed reforms of special taxing districts
01-23-08	News Release- Weitzman: Gov.'s proposed reforms of special taxing districts will reduce costs, increase oversight & end abuses
2007
12-18-07	News Release- Weitzman Study shows Many Special Districts Overcharge Residents Cost Disparities in Special Districts in Nassau County
10-18-07	News Release- Weitzman Calls For Town Supervisors To ‘Step-Up’ Review Of Special Districts Budgets; Issues Fourth Water District Audit, Showing a Town-Run District Has Fewer Abuses Than Commissioner-Run Districts Comptroller Weitzman's letter to Town Supervisors Urging Special District Budget Review Limited Financial Review of the Town of Hempstead Department of Water and the East Meadow Water District
10-03-07	News Release- Comptroller Weitzman: Westbury Water District Spending Money Like Water Limited Financial Review of the Westbury Water District
09-18-07	News Release- Weitzman Audit Finds Water Commissioners In Two Districts Were Paid Thousands Without Proper Justification Limited Financial Review of the Franklin Square Water District Limited Financial Review of the Hicksville Water District
04-23-07	News Release- Comptroller Weitzman, State Sen. Johnson Tapped For Local Government Commission
03-13-07	News Release- Weitzman Commends Suozzi On Decision To Focus Attention On Special Districts
02-15-07	News Release- Weitzman Audit Finds Conflict of Interest At Great Neck Wastewater District Limited Review of the Great Neck Water Pollution Control District
01-18-07	News Release- Weitzman Commends Decision By Town of Hempstead To Review Special District Budgets
01-11-07	News Release- Following State Audit, Weitzman Calls on Hempstead Supervisor to Curb Spending by Sanitary District
01-11-07	News Release- State Audit Finds Hempstead Sanitary District #1 Wasteful, Overly Generous to Commissioners and Top Managers Office of the New York State Comptroller: Sanitary District No. 1 Town of Hempstead
2006
12-13-06	News Release- Weitzman, Town Supervisors Agree: Nassau Special Tax Districts Can Cut Expenses Cost-Saving Ideas for Special Districts in Nassau County
09-18-06	News Release- Comptroller Weitzman Urges Towns To Publicly Review Budgets Of Special Taxing Districts Comptroller Weitzman's Letter to Town Supervisors-Special District Budget Review
05-26-06	News Release- Nassau County Leaders, Policy Experts To Discuss Special Tax Districts At Hofstra
05-01-06	News Release- Taking Aim At High Property Taxes, Local Officials Plan June Conference On Special Districts
2005
12-19-05	News Release- Taking Aim At High Property Taxes, Comptroller Expands Audits Of Special Tax Districts; Calls For Countywide Conference To Recommend Reforms
12-19-05	Special Report: Nassau County Special Districts: The Case for Reform
10-20-05	News Release- Following Weitzman Audits, NYS Comptroller To Investigate Nassau Sanitation Districts
09-21-05	News Release- Customers of Sanitary District No. 2 Grossly Overpaying for Garbage Collection Financial Audit of Sanitary District No. 2 Town of Hempstead
09-08-05	News Release- Sanitary District Audits Find Inflated Pay and Lavish Expenses Comptroller Weitzman's Letter to Sanitary District No. 1 Town of Hempstead Financial Audit of the Syosset Sanitary District Audit of the Port Washington Garbage District
05-25-05	News Release- Comptroller Subpoenas Records of Syosset Sanitary District
02-24-05	News Release- Comptroller to Audit Special Tax Districts