Bellone, Suffolk restore 7 county jobs

The Suffolk legislature has passed County Executive Steve Bellone's first piece of legislation -- an emergency measure to restore seven of 88 jobs cut in this year's budget.

Legislative budget analysts had learned recently that the labor department jobs, slated for elimination at the end of February, were fully funded by a federal grant.

"We can't dig the hole any deeper, but obviously, in this case, there were no savings to be had," said Jon Schneider, Bellone's deputy county executive for intergovernmental affairs.

The certificate of necessity authorized lawmakers to consider an emergency resolution without it going to committee. Tuesday's vote was 18-0.

A $491,000 federal Workforce Investment Act grant will pay for the six neighborhood aides and one labor specialist. They were among the jobs the legislature eliminated for 2012.

Twelve of those, as nonunion positions, came off the payroll this week. Remaining union employees, including the now-spared labor department workers, received 60-day layoff notices late last month.

Union leaders had urged Bellone to tap reserves to save all 88 jobs. But just before taking office, he said he would focus on the more than 600 positions that are funded only through June.

Thursday, Bellone is set to announce an independent panel to determine the size of Suffolk's budget deficit. While former County Executive Steve Levy said his 2012 budget was balanced, lawmakers have predicted a $100-million shortfall.

Legis. Edward Romaine (R-Center Moriches), who has urged Bellone to save all 88 jobs, said Wednesday that restoring the seven labor department positions at least keeps the county from inadvertently reneging on its grant agreement.

"I can tell you the federal government doesn't look kindly when you take their money and don't do what you're supposed to," he said.