2 unions blast budget advisory for Nassau

Nassau's two largest unions came out swinging Saturday against a financial consultant's recommendations on how to close the county's massive budget gap, arguing they would put residents at risk and gut key government services.

The proposals by Grant Thornton, a national auditing and financial advisory firm, are outlined in a draft report issued Friday to the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state watchdog with control of the county's finances.

The firm calls on Nassau to outsource dozens of public-sector functions, close county departments and lay off nearly 1,600 workers. The recommendations would save Nassau up to $319 million by eliminating functions that are discretionary or don't generate revenue, according to the report.

But one union official Saturday said the plan would "destroy" the county.

"It would make Nassau a place where no one would want to live," said Jerry Laricchiuta, county Civil Service Employees Association president.

The report's authors note that Nassau County, for which the county comptroller projected a $168-million deficit for fiscal 2011, must make hard choices.

"We acknowledge that embracing these recommendations will be difficult for many constituencies in the short-term but if adopted now, we firmly believe that fiscal sustainability can be achieved in the long term," said Martha Kopacz, a Grant Thornton managing principal, in the report.

The report proposes closing all county museums, outsourcing parks maintenance and consolidating departments focused on minorities, veterans and the physically challenged.

Referral functions for those departments would be rolled into a new Constituent Services department.

Also under the plan, county employees would contribute 7 percent to 12 percent toward their benefits, paid days off would be cut by up to 14 days, a NIFA-imposed wage freeze would continue, and a $4-million county education stipend would be eliminated.

Police reforms account for about a third of the savings outlined in the report. The proposed changes include ending minimum manning standards by scheduling shifts in line with crime patterns, closing two precincts and reforming overtime rules. The proposals also would abolish the marine and helicopter patrol and rescue services, as well as mounted patrols and crossing guard positions.

Nassau Police Benevolent Association president James Carver said the changes would jeopardize the safety of county residents. "Why not just eliminate all police and go back to the Wild West rules?" he said.

Many of the recommendations involve revising closed union contracts and could not be achieved without labor concessions, officials said.

NIFA, which took control of Nassau's finances in January, hired Grant Thornton to review county operations. The control board did not contribute to the report and will not endorse any recommendation.

"We view this as an independent report that will provide the county with fresh ideas and tools to consider to reduce costs and assist in balancing the county budget," said NIFA chairman Ronald Stack.

County Executive Edward Mangano must submit his proposed 2012 budget this week.

"The report is under a thorough review and County Executive Mangano will reflect many of the achievable suggestions in the 2012 budget," Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said.

THE RECOMMENDATIONS

A NIFA-hired consultant's report urges dramatic changes to the size and scope of Nassau County agencies. Among cost-cutting plans from the Grant Thornton firm:

County Executive, County Legislature, County Attorney, Board of Elections, County Clerk and County Comptroller: 15 percent across-the-board cuts

Nassau County Police: End minimum manning rules, allowing staffing to be based on crime patterns; eliminate two precincts; reduce excessive overtime by adopting 261-day work year schedule [now 232 days]; civilianize one position in each of eight precincts; end marine and helicopter patrol and rescue services, mounted patrols and crossing guards

Parks, Recreation and Museums: Close all museums; outsource park maintenance

Department of Public Works: Reduce fleet of vehicles by 250; outsource janitorial and building maintenance; eliminate traffic safety board if grant funding isn't available; hold public-private competition to run material testing lab

Department of Purchasing: Consolidate and centralize contracting

Office of Minority Affairs: Shift functions to other departments

Office of the Physically Challenged: Transfer services to County Clerk

Coordinated Agency for Spanish Americans (CASA): Eliminate department; shift bilingual referral services to proposed Constituent Services department

Veterans Service Agency: Move referral functions to Constituent Services

Youth Board: Cut discretionary budget by $3 million