Mangano calls for new 'more efficient' agency

Calling it "the flagship" of his efforts to change government, County Executive Edward Mangano has proposed creating a new agency to save money by providing support functions for other county agencies.

Mangano's first public indication of the plan came quietly minutes before the close of business Friday as an addendum to the calender that will be considered Monday afternoon by committees of the Nassau County Legislature.

"With a looming deficit of over $285 million, the County Executive has set forth a recovery plan that will bring long-term fiscal stability to Nassau County," a memo attached to the bill said.

"The creation of this department is the flagship of the administration's plan to provide a more efficient county government operation. It is the convergence and streamlining of same and/or similar functions to ensure delivery of services effectively in a standardized manner," the memo said.

It said the new Department of Shared Services would perform payroll, personnel, printing and graphics and other functions now done by individual agencies. Aides to Mangano did not provide any additional details over the weekend.

The Republican presiding officer, Legis. Peter Schmitt of Massapequa, has not gotten the proposal and declined to comment, his spokeswoman said Sunday.

The Democratic minority leader, Legis. Diane Yatauro of Glen Cove, expressed doubts that the proposal would result in savings.

"I'll believe it when I see it," she said in a statement Sunday.

Legislative committees will also take up a proposal by Mangano to sell $86 million in bonds to finance an early retirement program meant to reduce payroll this year and in the immediate future, but which would load up the county with more long-term debt.