Higher fees aren’t the answer for Nassau County
The Theodore Roosevelt Executive and Legislative Building in Mineola, which serves as the seat of Nassau County government, is seen here on June 26, 2012. Credit: Amy Onorato
To raise money, Nassau County has approved fee increases [“Nassau lawmakers OK $46M in fee hikes,” News, Nov. 24]. However, county officials appear to be trying to bury those increases in a manner that will avoid complaint.
The county has raised real estate recording fees, including an already absurd charge for a tax assessor’s letter. Previously, the charge for a letter to record real estate documents was $75. Nassau County has now tripled that fee, along with increasing other recording fees.
Now, for example, to record a one-page mortgage satisfaction document, to remove a mortgage from your property, it will cost $425.50. Recording the same document in Suffolk County costs $110.50, and in New York City $42.
When will Nassau County realize it cannot keep going to the well to fix its fiscal irresponsibility?
Craig Feldherr
Merrick
Editor’s note: The writer is an attorney practicing real estate law
