LI Planning council's future in jeopardy

The future of the Long Island Regional Planning Council is in question because of Nassau County's decision to withdraw its $200,000 contribution this year.

The cutback, announced Wednesday by County Executive Edward Mangano, prompted Suffolk County officials to say they also would phase out funding for the council.

"Defunding it [by Nassau] really leaves us in a tough spot. If it's only Suffolk County contributing, how much of a regional council is it?" said Christopher Kent, Suffolk's chief deputy county executive and an ex-officio member of the council. He said both counties had agreed to equally fund the council, whose annual budget is $500,000 with three paid staffers.

Mangano announced $121 million in cuts Wednesday to address concerns about a budget deficit from a state watchdog agency, the Nassau Interim Finance Authority. "It's unfortunate that we need to make cuts like this as a result of NIFA's action," said Brian Nevin, a Mangano spokesman.

Because of Nassau's decision, Kent said Suffolk would "phase out our funding over time, without destroying some of the efforts already being undertaken [by the council] that can benefit Suffolk County." He said Suffolk had already begun work on some recommendations contained in the council's 2035 Sustainability Plan for the region.

"Unless we secure additional funding, we will have to make significant changes in the council, including [possibly] shutting down the council," said its chairman, John Cameron, an engineering firm executive and one of 12 volunteer members of the council, which is composed of business executives, town and village government leaders and nonprofit representatives. The council has existed, in some form, for more than 40 years. It is an advisory group that deals with regional planning issues and advocates for Long Island redevelopment and revitalization.