DiNapoli, Suozzi: Reform Special Taxing Districts
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- April
- 22
Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli and Nassau County Executive Thomas Suozzi announced today reforms to the state’s overwhelming number of special taxing districts in communities that are adding to the woes of the over-taxed state.
The issue has been pronounced on Long Island, but also has been a problem across the state. The state has more than 6,900 special districts statewide, which provides such things as lighting, sewers and other services to parts of a community. The majority are funded through property assessments and user fees.
The special districts have been another example of taxing districts with little public oversight, such as public authorities that provide similar services.
DiNapoli, a former Long Island state assemblyman, has released some tough audits on the special districts, including finding that taxpayers on average pay $257 per household for special districts in New York.
Suozzi, who ran against former Gov. Spitzer for the Democratic nomination in 2006, is heading a task force looking at whether the state should consider a property-tax cap.
The Democratic duo’s reforms for special districts, which are being sent to the Legislature, include:
—A uniform date for public hearings conducted by the board of commissioners on budget before they are submitted to the town.
—Budget estimates, annual financial reports, public notices and audit reports are posted on the websites of both the district and of the town in which the district is located.
—Adequate notice to the public for annual budget hearings including the time, date, location, purpose of the hearing and the availability of an estimate of the proposed expenditures and revenues.
This entry was posted
on Tuesday, April 22nd, 2008 at 12:39 pm by Joseph Spector.
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