REPUBLICAN MAJORITY PROPOSES REOPENING
8TH PRECINCT AS PART OF BUDGET AMENDMENTS
The Republican Majority in the Nassau County Legislature has submitted amendments to the County Executive’s 2019 Budget, in an effort to better protect the taxpayer. Among the amendments was a proposal to reopen the 8th Precinct in Levittown and eliminate $8 million in new fees proposed by the County Executive.
“It was important to me that our budget amendments include the elimination of onerous fees and provide funding to reopen our 8th police precinct,” said Legislator John Ferretti. “I’m very pleased that we were able to accomplish both goals. The community has made it clear that they feel they are entitled to the same policing resources as the rest of Nassau County. Reopening the precinct is long overdue.”
The budget amendments find opportunities for savings, eliminate fees, begin the reopening of two police precincts, and provide a contingency for potential cost increases due to the pending renegotiation of labor agreements. Notably, the county administration will be negotiating new contracts with all five of Nassau’s major unions this year. To prepare for this, the Republican majority has created a contingency fund to help cover the labor costs that historically accompany new union contracts. The contingency will be funded by underestimated sales tax revenue, fringe benefit savings, debt service savings, reducing reliance on borrowing to pay tax certiorari claims, and the elimination of a small portion of vacant-yet-salaried positions within the county.
$8 million in boot and tow fees are being eliminated from the administration’s budget and such revenue can be recovered through the savings incurred from the majority’s proposed amendments. “Eliminating onerous fees and re-opening the 8th precinct are two promises I made during my campaign. These amendments deliver on those promises,” said Legislator Ferretti.