Worries over disruptions to essential services as hundreds of Nassau workers take buyout

Nearly 500 longtime Nassau County government employees — the majority of whom staff crucial departments such as 911 centers, social services and public works — will retire early through a buyout program offered by the Blakeman administration, officials said. 

The number has exceeded projections as a greater than expected number of workers has applied for the retirement incentive: a lump-sum payment of $2,000 for each year of service. The incentive is available to employees with at least 10 consecutive years with the county.

As the March 5 application deadline for the buyout approaches, concerns are growing among labor leaders and Democratic legislators that an exodus of experienced workers will overload remaining employees and disrupt critical services. 

"When experienced public employees leave in large numbers, you feel it immediately," said Kris Kalender, president of CSEA Local 830, the county's largest municipal labor union. "The county owes residents and workers alike a clear, responsible plan to protect services and worker safety and to ensure that today's budget decisions don't become tomorrow's higher costs through subcontracting and breakdowns in service."

Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman pitched the plan as a way to save $27 million in the county's 2026-27 budget and $30 million annually over the next three years. It was subsequently approved unanimously by the 19-member county legislature and the Nassau Interim Finance Authority, the county's state-appointed fiscal watchdog. 

Employee salaries and benefits make up more than half the expenses in the county's $4.4 billion budget. The county expects to realize savings as higher-salary, long-tenured employees are replaced with new hires, who are paid less. The last time the county offered buyouts to its workers was in 2012, which then-Republican County Executive Ed Mangano sought to offset layoffs. 

Workers from each of the six public employee unions applied for the current round of buyouts, with 320 as of Feb. 25 from the Civil Service Employees Association, the union most impacted. The county began offering the incentive on Feb. 1. 

Blakeman, who shortly after winning a second term became the Republican candidate for governor, calls the buyouts "a win-win," saying the early retirement program "allows the county to save taxpayer dollars and reward employees for length of service."

"We have exceeded the projections and as a result the county will save additional taxpayer dollars," Blakeman said in a statement to Newsday.

A final figure on the savings was not yet made available, according to administration officials. The 2026 savings from the program would factor in spending on other forms of exit pay workers are contractually entitled to, such as termination pay, made up of accrued sick and vacation time, as well as longevity pay, which is a bonus depending on years of service.

Danielle Davidson, a police communications supervisor who manages 911 operators and police dispatchers, isn't taking the buyout and worries she and others will be stretched too thin. Robust recruiting efforts don't seem to alleviate the persistent staffing shortages and high burnout rate due to the rigors of the job. 

The 911 operators and police dispatchers are represented by CSEA and are already about 30 employees short of its contractually mandated headcount of 190.

Residents calling into 911 might need to wait on hold longer during an emergency, Davidson said, as the calls are answered in the order they are received and prioritized after an operator picks up.

There are 26 new hires in training but it takes about five years to become highly skilled in 911 operations and only 63% of new hires stay on past the first year. 

"We get the initial call where the person is excited and anxious and going through the worst time of their lives," said Davidson, 47, of Mineola, who has been with the department for 23 years. "[The 911 operators] are burnt out from working, they are burnt out from the excessive overtime and burnt out from training so many new people." 

In addition to the 320 from CSEA, a chart provided by the Blakeman administration tracking the buyouts shows that as of Feb. 25 there were three members of the Inspectors Police Benevolent Association; 32 from the county's Detectives' Association, 37 from the Superior Officers Association, 45 from the Correction Officers Benevolent Association and 55 from the Police Benevolent Association.

Newsday previously reported Nassau County Police Commissioner Patrick Ryder saying he anticipated close to 200 police officers would retire by early March in order to take advantage of the incentive.

Officials said a total of 492 workers — just under 7% of the 7,200-employee workforce — have submitted the retirement paperwork to the county's human resources department.

Legis. Scott Davis (D-Rockville Centre) was among those who voiced concern in budget hearings about the lack of a recruitment plan to fill the coming vacancies, particularly in departments already understaffed. 

"Those who are taking it [the buyout] are the most experienced with the most knowledge. I believe there's going to be a challenge in backfilling those positions," said Davis, who said he voted to approve the plan for its potential cost-savings. "It's challenging enough to get county workers. What's going to happen is it will diminish services for county residents because you won't have enough people." 

By Candice Ferrette

candice.ferrette@newsday.comcandiceferrette

Candice Ferrette covers Nassau County government and politics on Long Island. She has been a reporter at Newsday since 2011.