Nassau County's Proposed Budget For 2017 Faces Criticism Over Fee Hike, Pay Raise
MINEOLA, N.Y. (CBSNewYork) -- Nassau County has until Monday to balance its books, which currently show a staggering $100 million budget deficit.
But next year's budget is being scrutinized for its $105 so-called public safety fee, which is tacked on to all traffic tickets, as well as its $17,000 pay raise for the recently indicted county executive, CBS2's Jennifer McLogan reported.
"A public safety fee. What's in that fee? What is going on that we have to pay an extra $105?" Floral Park resident Fernando Orellano asked.
"Take the pay raise and give it back, being that you were allegedly indicted," Mineola resident Francis Williams said.
Following driver complaints, the American Automobile Association took an unusual trip to Nassau County, slamming the proposed $105 fee as a backdoor tax on motorists. AAA called it bad public policy to use traffic enforcement to balance a budget.
"We and the minority legislators see this as an illegal tax," AAA spokesperson Robert Sinclair said.
"The county executive, as you know, has been arrested and indicted and from our standpoint everyone deserves an opportunity in court. However, this ties into our argument for an independent inspector general," Nassau County Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams said.
The Nassau Interim Finance Authority, an independent state watchdog group, is already monitoring the county. NIFA must OK the budget.
"We have reviewed the draft budget and we found some really horrendous things in that budget. I mean it's out of balance, clearly, by $100 million," NIFA board member Howard Wietzman said.
CBS2 tried to found out why the Republican majority supports the controversial proposals, but no one was available.
"We need to fix Nassau County. You can't just kick the can down the road anymore," Wietzman said.
Long Island good-government groups are urging Nassau County taxpayers to attend Monday's public hearing and let their voices be heard before the legislature's vote on the 2017 budget.
