Nassau GOP Proposes Cutting Nearly $100 Million In Fees

NASSAU COUNTY, NY — The Republican majority of the Nassau County Legislature put forward a plan today that would cut nearly $100 million in fees from the upcoming 2021-22 county budget, and make up the difference with a surplus of sales tax revenue.

The Republican plan would cut $96 million in fees by reducing the public safety, tax map verification and recording fees. They also asked that County Executive Laura Curran, a Democrat, put forward a budget that includes a tax cut for all residents. Curran's proposed budget is due on Sept. 15.

The Legislature can pass a bill authorizing the cuts, but it would have to be approved by County Executive Curran.

"After the county executive vetoed millions of dollars of tax cuts proposed by the Legislature in last year's budget, the Majority will eliminate almost $100 million dollars in county fees paid by residents, to keep more money in their pockets where it belongs," said Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello. "This will help our small businesses, seniors, residents refinancing, paying off mortgages or buying homes in Nassau County. I urge the county executive to support getting rid of these fees and cut taxes to give our residents the financial relief they deserve."

According to the Republican Majority, reports show that the county is projected to take in $300 million more in sales tax than was initially planned.

The three fees the Majority wants to reduce could affect thousands of Nassau County residents.

The public safety fee is a $55 charge assessed on traffic and red-light camera violations. The proposal is to eliminate it.

The tax map verification fee is a $350 charge from the assessor's office for the verification of the section, block and lot information on deeds and mortgages. The proposal is to eliminate the fee.

The recording fee is a $300 charge from the county for recording and indexing of deeds, mortgages, “other instruments,” liens, or statutory notices of liens and for the satisfaction or cancellation of a lien or statutory notice of a lien. It also applies to corrections of such documents that would need to be re-indexed. The majority proposes cutting the fee to $50.

Democrats on the Legislature agree with Republicans about removing the public safety fee, but not for the same reasons.

"Earlier today, members of the Republican Majority said that 'fees should not be used for revenue.' Well, it's about time they came to their senses," said William Biamonte, chief of staff to the Minority caucus. "Years ago, when Ed Mangano pushed through his dubious 'public safety fee' with the backing of a rubber-stamp Republican caucus, the Minority caucus unanimously opposed this blatant money grab because it was the textbook example of using fees to generate revenue. They deserve no credit for fixing a problem they were instrumental in creating."