Levy bill tapping sewer funds challenged

Suffolk Executive Steve Levy signed a bill last week allowing the county to use a surplus in the county's sewer fund for tax relief and new sewers. But Richard Amper, of the Long Island Pine Barrens Society, testified at a hearing that Levy could not use any of this $20.4 million in proposing his 2012 budget. Amper noted a 60-day period in which voters could circulate petitions to put the sewer-fund issue on the November ballot. So the law, he said, would take effect after Sept. 16 when Levy submits the budget proposal. Levy said he's having the county attorney review Amper's testimony. He added: "The budget is a planning document and wouldn't take effect until Jan. 1." -- Rick Brand