Suffolk seeks resident input on $3B infrastructure plan through 2029
The Suffolk Legislature will hold its second public hearing Tuesday on the proposed 2027-29 capital budget and program, with input from citizens. Credit: Barry Sloan
The Suffolk County Legislature will hold its second public hearing Tuesday on the proposed 2027-29 capital budget and program, and they're seeking input on how to spend from its citizens.
County Executive Edward P. Romaine submitted the proposed $897 million 2027 capital budget to lawmakers last month to review, kick-starting a weekslong process to finalize it.
The proposed three-year capital program for 2027-29 includes about $3 billion in investments, a nearly identical figure compared with a previously adopted plan. The capital budget is separate from the operating budget that is due in the fall.
“These investments are critical to maintaining essential infrastructure, protecting the environment and strengthening our local economy,” the county executive wrote to legislators in the budget outline.
The budget prioritizes public health and safety, he added.
The public hearing is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. at the Evans K. Griffing Building in Riverhead. The public is encouraged to offer thoughts on the budget, often given three minutes per person to provide input.
Most projects outlined specific to 2027 are “ongoing projects” already introduced in some capacity in prior capital programs. Construction of a new medical examiner’s office is one of the largest items funded in the 2027 budget at $186.5 million.
The 2027 budget includes $10.3 million in “new projects.”
The largest of the new projects is $7.5 million to acquire property in downtown Riverhead currently home to Suffolk’s Culinary Arts Center. The county would purchase the 30,000-square-foot building to eliminate lease payments for a “significant operating cost savings,” according to the budget.
The legislature’s nonpartisan Budget Review Office will present its analysis of the budget to the legislators on the Capital Budget Working Group at 11 a.m. on Monday. Lawmakers will also discuss the budget during joint legislative committee meetings on May 19 and 20.
The working group meets again on May 20 and 21. Presiding Officer Anthony Piccirillo (R-Holbrook) serves as chairman of the working group, which includes four Republicans and two Democrats.
Lawmakers can submit budget amendments by May 22, and those amendments can be voted on at the June 2 general meeting.
Joe Werkmeister joined Newsday in 2022 and covers Suffolk County government and politics. He is a graduate of St. Bonaventure University and previously worked as the editor of two North Fork community newspapers.
'Parties were unable to reach a deal' LIRR unions have gone on strike for the first time since 1994. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.
'Parties were unable to reach a deal' LIRR unions have gone on strike for the first time since 1994. NewsdayTV's Andrew Ehinger reports.
