Post by lg1 on Jan 27, 2012 11:52:13 GMT -5
Nassau officials say $88M saved so far
Nassau officials say last month's layoffs, retirements and demotions will save the deficit-ridden county $42.4 million this year -- far short of the $75 million in recurring labor savings expected from the payroll reductions.
But county officials said Thursday that other spending cuts, including lower-than-projected health insurance premiums and staff reductions at the Board of Elections, will boost total savings this year to $88 million.
County Executive Edward Mangano had agreed to cut $150 million in recurring labor costs this year in return for approval from Nassau's financial control board to borrow $450 million over the next four years. He set Dec. 15 as the first deadline for cutting $75 million if unions did not agree to givebacks, and Wednesday is the trigger for the remaining $75 million.
After the Nassau Interim Finance Authority requested an update, Deputy County Executive Tim Sullivan this week provided the control board with a two-page memo and a spreadsheet that he said detailed the $42.4 million in payroll savings.
Sullivan projected another $45.5 million in savings, including a $23 million by the state for health insurance, $12 million from voluntary employee departures, $3.6 million from cutting part-time and seasonal elections employees, $3 million from charging capital projects for some employee salaries and $2.4 million using grants to pay some health and social service workers.
"This reduction in spending is a giant step in combating the property tax crisis that is killing jobs and depressing home values throughout the region," Mangano said in a statement. "My administration continues to cut government spending and protect residents from a property tax hike."
NIFA board member Chris Wright said the control board's staff "has to review the county's submission to ensure that it meets our requirements. That process is ongoing."
Legislative Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) and other county officials expressed doubt that Mangano can reach the $150 million goal.
Abrahams said his office estimated Mangano has saved only $28 million to $30 million in his first round of cuts. "Unfortunately, this leaves the county in an even bigger hole than we anticipated for 2012," Abrahams said. "I would hope that the county executive has a plan to lift us out of this hole and that it is not on the backs of taxpayers."
Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said any Mangano cuts have "to be consistent with the adopted budget."
Asked about the next round of savings due Wednesday, Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said, "we are not commenting on current negotiations."
88 is 13 million over the first 75 million the county wanted in the first round of savings.....So give us our damn steps and raises
Nassau officials say last month's layoffs, retirements and demotions will save the deficit-ridden county $42.4 million this year -- far short of the $75 million in recurring labor savings expected from the payroll reductions.
But county officials said Thursday that other spending cuts, including lower-than-projected health insurance premiums and staff reductions at the Board of Elections, will boost total savings this year to $88 million.
County Executive Edward Mangano had agreed to cut $150 million in recurring labor costs this year in return for approval from Nassau's financial control board to borrow $450 million over the next four years. He set Dec. 15 as the first deadline for cutting $75 million if unions did not agree to givebacks, and Wednesday is the trigger for the remaining $75 million.
After the Nassau Interim Finance Authority requested an update, Deputy County Executive Tim Sullivan this week provided the control board with a two-page memo and a spreadsheet that he said detailed the $42.4 million in payroll savings.
Sullivan projected another $45.5 million in savings, including a $23 million by the state for health insurance, $12 million from voluntary employee departures, $3.6 million from cutting part-time and seasonal elections employees, $3 million from charging capital projects for some employee salaries and $2.4 million using grants to pay some health and social service workers.
"This reduction in spending is a giant step in combating the property tax crisis that is killing jobs and depressing home values throughout the region," Mangano said in a statement. "My administration continues to cut government spending and protect residents from a property tax hike."
NIFA board member Chris Wright said the control board's staff "has to review the county's submission to ensure that it meets our requirements. That process is ongoing."
Legislative Minority Leader Kevan Abrahams (D-Freeport) and other county officials expressed doubt that Mangano can reach the $150 million goal.
Abrahams said his office estimated Mangano has saved only $28 million to $30 million in his first round of cuts. "Unfortunately, this leaves the county in an even bigger hole than we anticipated for 2012," Abrahams said. "I would hope that the county executive has a plan to lift us out of this hole and that it is not on the backs of taxpayers."
Presiding Officer Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said any Mangano cuts have "to be consistent with the adopted budget."
Asked about the next round of savings due Wednesday, Mangano spokesman Brian Nevin said, "we are not commenting on current negotiations."
88 is 13 million over the first 75 million the county wanted in the first round of savings.....So give us our damn steps and raises
