Levy budget would lay off 709 workers

Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy Wednesday proposed a $2.7 billion budget for next year that would freeze taxes and lay off 709 county workers. But Levy said 464 of those jobs could be saved if unions make $31 million in concessions on health premiums.

The spending plan, which is $17 million higher than this year, also calls for a shutdown of the county-run John J. Foley Skilled Nursing facility, which would eliminate the other 245 jobs. Levy is seeking bids from potential buyers by Sept. 25.

His budget also includes $20 million in new spending to hire 150 correction officers and a new round-the-clock medical unit mandated by the state to staff the new Yaphank county jail opening next year.

Levy, who is not seeking re-election, called his swan song budget one of the most difficult in his eight-year tenure because of increased state mandates, aid cuts and the near-doubling of pension costs from $94.4 million last year to $178.8 million next year. He also said the sour economy has greatly increased demands for services, such as a 74 percent jump in welfare rolls.

"This budget is tight and balanced," Levy said in an interview Wednesday before filing the budget in midafternoon. "And now it's a matter of choice for the legislature and the county workforce."

Union leaders, however, say they won't talk with Levy because he is a lame duck and there will be a new county executive in January.

Levy said having employees pay part of their medical premiums is a "rational and sustainable policy," accepted in private business and other governments. Currently, county employees and retirees pay no share of annual health premiums, which total $7,178 for individuals and $15,310 for families. Under Levy's plan, individual workers would pay between $861 and $1,148, and workers with families would pay $4,134 to $4,746, depending on salary.

"Some in the union may be prepared to eat their young because of disgruntled members," he said. "But if everyone gives in a little, no one loses their job."

The health department would be the hardest hit by layoffs at 345 positions. Among others, social services would be cut by 124, police would lose 20 and the district attorney's office would see a cut of 19 jobs. The layoffs would take effect Jan. 1, if approved by county lawmakers.

Presiding Officer William Lindsay (D-Holbrook) said Levy's quest for concessions is disingenuous because he can't change the budget once it's submitted and the unions are unlikely to deal with an executive heading out the door. Lindsay, added, however, that he "fully intends to have discussions with workforce leaders to see if they can help us out."

Lindsay also said he will "do his very best to avoid or at least minimize layoffs" because it hurts the economy and sales tax revenue.

Top union officials said they would not talk concessions with Levy. "Mr. Levy is in the unfortunate position of being harmfully irrelevant -- no matter who wins in November, it won't be him," said Cheryl Felice, president of the Association of Municipal Employees. She added that the current health insurance agreement runs to year's end with all 11 county unions and "since Levy won't be here to seal the deal, talks should not begin with him, either."

Despite this year's cuts in state aid that had threatened the county's health center system, Levy said his budget will only cut $2.85 million in county funding for the Dolan Family Health Center in Greenlawn.

Levy said he did not use any of the county's $60 million "rainy day" fund to offset the anticipated shortfalls, which had been estimated at between $139 million and $179 million earlier this year. Levy, however, said he is filing a legislative resolution separate from the budget to allocate $12 million to help pay county costs of Tropical Storm Irene, which Levy expects will be reimbursed next year by federal aid.