WORKING TO REDUCE MONETARY WASTE,
ABUSE, AND CORRUPTION IN NASSAU'S
SPECIAL TAXING DISTRICTS
What is a special taxing district?
A special taxing district is a local unit of government that provides only a single service to its taxpayers, whereas general service governments like villages, towns, and counties provide their residents with multiple services. A special district provides a service such as water provision, fire services, sanitation, etc. at a cost to the taxpayer.
Why is Nassau's special districts system in crisis?
Many special districts are run by commissioners who put their own interests above the community's. The result is higher taxes to residents due to money mismanagement, and unethical spending. Former Nassau Comptroller Howard Weitzman dedicated years to special district audits which uncovered massive tax waste, virtually no internal controls, and embarrassingly unethical behavior.
How did special districts start?
New York City was formed in 1898 and did not include the then rural, eastern townships of Queens - Hempstead, North Hempstead, and Oyster Bay. A year later, in 1899, these townships formed Nassau County.
In the early 1900s, Nassau was a county of farmers with far fewer people living miles apart in Nassau, and thereby a need for localized special district services was necessary. During the 1920s and 1930s however, Nassau's population boomed, and in 1932 the state government mandated new special districts to be directly managed by town boards. However, the existing special districts could still be operated by elected commissioners if the residents so chose, which many did. In 1936, the Nassau County charter was approved. This laid the ground for much of the government structure Nassau has today.
How are special districts funded?
Special districts are funded by your property taxes. Plain and simple, the money to fund them comes directly out of your pockets.
How many special districts exist in Nassau County?
The total number of special districts in Nassau County is approximately 300, one of the highest numbers of special districts in New York State.
Does Suffolk County have special districts?
Yes, Suffolk County does have some, although this crisis is much worse in Nassau because there are many more special districts in Nassau than Suffolk County.
Who runs special districts?
Over half of Nassau's special districts are run by a board of commissioners who are elected by the residents in a given special district.
Who creates the rules for special district operations?
Special districts are accountable to NO other government entity; there is no public oversight of their operations by an outside entity. They create their own rules. Former Comptroller Howard Weitzman's audits found that many special districts failed to document their own internal rules and policies. Millions of your taxdollars are spent at the discretion of special district commissioners who have no guidelines to adhere to when determining how they will spend your money.
When is my special district election?
The special district election process is so fragmented and unorganized that it all depends. A special districts election occurs every 11 days, in 11 of 12 months. They are usually poorly publicized and held at odd hours to ensure low voter turnout.
To determine when a specific special district election is being held, the special district itself must be contacted in order to find out.
Can I contact my special district?
All special districts are reachable by phone, but they may often be reluctant to provide information that you have a right to know about. Remember, you pay for their services and have a right to this information. The Freedom of Information Law (FOIL) mandates that any public institution must provide public information within twenty days of a request.
What is the goal of the Government Efficiency Project?
The goal of the Government Efficiency Project is to reduce special district tax waste, prevent abuse, and end corruption. The answer is consolidation which will save Nassau taxpayers money and allow local town services to provide these services. The Project pursues consolidation by training and educating taxpayers to mobilize their strength and resources to allow sensible, lower taxes a reality in their community.
What is consolidation?
Consolidation is when one unit of government combines with another to create economic efficiency. Consolidation is the clear, common-sense solution to help reform special districts.
Can consolidation really save money?
Yes it can. Having an existing town take over special district services saves money by increasing the number of residents a town serves. This in turn decreases the cost to serve each resident.
Former Comptroller Howard Weitzman's audits outline the rampant fiscal waste common in special districts. Consolidating these districts will not only eliminate this waste, but eliminate special districts' massive budgets (some exceed $20 million annually).
I’ve heard about the New NY Law – what is it?
In the spring of 2009, the New NY Government Reorganization and Citizen Empowerment Act became law. New NY empowers taxpayers to consolidate local government entities – like special districts – on their own.
In order for a citizen, or ‘Elector Initiated’ consolidation to occur it must be first approved by referendum. In order to get on the ballot you must begin with a petition. The new law requires signatures of 10% or 5,000 registered voters within the effected municipality, whichever is less, to initiate the process (for municipalities with a population less than 500, the law requires signature of 20% of the registered voters). Before this law passed it was much more difficult, as the number of required signatures was higher and less attainable. These signatures would then force the special district to hold a special election where the voters can choose to consolidate their special district or not. The power for change is in your hands.
How can I get involved?
There are many ways to take action:
- Call the Government Efficiency Project at the Long Island Progressive Coalition: 516-541-1006 x.13
- Sign a petition we will be circulating to help create a special election to consolidate your special district.
- Write a letter-to-the-editor of your local newspaper letting readers know that you are furious about special district abuse and won’t stand for it any longer.
- Collect signatures from other people in your neighborhood to support consolidation.
- Create a Friends & Neighbors list of people who may be interested in consolidation and allow the Project to reach out to these concerned taxpayers.
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