Nassau legislature debates $2.63B budget

The Nassau legislature on Thursday took its first crack at County Executive Edward Mangano's $2.63 billion budget for 2012 as it debated the closure of two police precincts, thousands of dollars in new employee health care contributions and layoffs of hundreds of county workers.

Mangano's proposal to require all Nassau workers to contribute 25 percent to their health care would cost employees enrolled in family plans $4,500 per year, Deputy County Executive Tim Sullivan disclosed. Individuals would pay $2,100 per year. Only 300 non-union employees hired after 2002 now contribute to their heath care costs.

"We have no choice but to contain the county's expenses at this point," said Sullivan. He said the employee contributions would save the county $68 million in 2012.

The Civil Service Employees Association and other county unions must agree to the contractual concessions, although Mangano has proposed legislation that would allow him to reopen union contracts.

CSEA president Jerry Laricchiuta said the contribution requirements would cause "an extreme hardship" for his members, many of whom make less than $30,000 annually.

Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa), a Mangano ally, said the health care mandates "sound harsh," and that Republicans would make major changes to the overall budget in the weeks ahead.

Legislators also peppered Sullivan with questions regarding the proposed closure of two police precincts.

While Sullivan declined to identify the precincts -- an announcement is expected at the legislature's Oct. 12 public safety hearing -- he revealed that the initiative would save the county $8 million through the layoffs of 70 administrative workers and the sale of the two properties. Mangano said the layoffs will not affect uniformed officers. Legis. Wayne Wink (D-Roslyn) was skeptical, calling the plan "more than aggressive."

Last year, Mangano proposed merging the 2nd precinct in Woodbury and the 6th in Manhasset. The legislature will have the final call on which precincts to close.

Police Benevolent Association president James Carver said closing precincts "does not mean there is less crime to be investigated. We still have the same amount of work."

Nassau Comptroller George Maragos, meanwhile, said Mangano's 2012 budget includes nearly $300 million in risky revenue that may not occur. They include union concessions, rescinding mandates from the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state monitoring board that controls Nassau's finances, and continuation of a wage freeze.