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Babylon Village
Internet Service, Serving Babylon Village - Long Island, NY
11702 |
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Suffolk
County News |
Office of the
County Executive
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Robert J. Gaffney
County Executive |
Eric A.
Kopp
Chief Deputy County Executive |
Press
Releases Archive
FOR IMMEDIATE
RELEASE
Feb 20, 2003 |
Cecilia Clausing
(631) 853-4000
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Gaffney for Budget Deficit Action Plan
to Address Looming Budget Gap |
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Details Impacts of
Emergency Budget Cuts on County Facilities and
Services
Saying that a failure to move aggressively to protect
County finances could result in both a massive
property tax increase and reduction in the County's
bond rating, Suffolk County Executive Robert J.
Gaffney today called on Suffolk Legislators to join in
the development of an action plan to close a two-year
budget gap projected to reach more than $190 million
by 2004.
Using the signing of legislation to restore $2.9
million in funding to the County Health Department as
a backdrop, Gaffney expressed concern that the
County's ability to transfer money from a surplus in
one health program to offset cuts to County Health
Centers could "give people the wrong impression"
regarding the state of the County's finances.
"We are here today because a unique circumstance
exists which allowed us to find a way to restore
funding to the health department, but I am very
concerned that people may take this as a signal that
other cuts in funding will not be necessary," said the
County Executive in signing the legislation. "In fact,
Suffolk County's financial situation is even more
precarious today than it was several months ago, and
denying that reality or failing to deal with it can
only lead to even deeper cuts in the future. That's
why it is so important that the Legislature and my
office work together to develop a Budget Deficit
Action Plan."
In December, the County Executive identified a $25
million shortfall in the amount budgeted for the
County's contribution to the State Pension Fund as a
problem requiring immediate attention, and directed
County department heads to reduce discretionary
spending by 10 percent, and froze hiring and vehicle
purchases.
Since then, the County has learned that projected
shortfall in the Pension Fund contribution has
increased to $57 million, and the recently announced
State budget proposal would cost the County $17.9
million this year, and another $24.6 million in 2004.
"In light of this new information, the County cannot
wait for the normal budget process to address the
potential for a huge budget deficit," said the County
Executive. "That's why I have proposed a formal joint
Executive-Legislative initiative to develop a Budget
Deficit Action Plan."
State and County governments across the nation are
facing a devastating financial crunch resulting from a
slowing national economy and economic impacts
associated with the September 11, 2001 terrorist
attacks, which are particularly severe in the
metropolitan New York area. The State has announced
plans to lay off thousands of State workers and reduce
funding for education by more than $1 billion.
For the first time, Gaffney detailed a series of
service impacts which will result from efforts to
address the $57 million gap in this year's budget, but
he cautioned that they only add up to about $12
million of the amount needed. Those impacts include:
· The Department of Social Services is proposing to
close one of its Public Assistance/Family Service
Centers, and will eliminate several non-mandated
functions, some of which will be turned over to the
State Health Department. The Department will eliminate
other non-mandated services, like prescription drugs
for Medicaid applicants not yet admitted to the
program.
· Sears-Bellows County Park in Hampton Bays, which
features a well-used campground and a bathing beach,
will be closed, and four other campgrounds will
operate only four days a week. The Parks Department
will take its showmobile off the road, and will
eliminate a number of special events.
· The Health Department will reduce anti-tobacco
advertising and smoking cessation and education
programs in local high schools.
"No elected official would ever propose to cut
services that are so important to the people of
Suffolk County unless there were a serious financial
crisis, but like most County governments, that is the
situation we find ourselves in," said Gaffney. "We
cannot operate government programs by spending money
we just don't have. If we allow deficit spending to
occur, Suffolk County taxpayers will face a massive
increase in County property taxes in 2004."
For More Information Visit
http://www.co.suffolk.ny.us/
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