Villages throughout Nassau County will soon be seeing their share of $250,000 in county sales tax revenue, which was a part of the 2001 budget passed by both the Democratic and Republican caucuses of the Nassau County Legislature as well as Nassau County Executive Thomas Gulotta.

According to the Democratic majority of the legislature, villages will share a portion of the county sales tax revenue as a result of an initiative proposed by the majority in October.

Spokesman of the Republican minority caucus of the legislature, Bob Lazaro, said the initiative came about as a result of a bipartisan effort. "It's part of the overall budget and four-year plan and we support it," he said.

The initiative sets aside $250,000 of county sales tax revenue to be divided among the 64 villages in Nassau County based upon population in 1990, the last census that is available. When drafting the 2001 budget, lawmakers set aside the $250,000 which the Democratic majority admits is only modest revenue for each village, but is an act of good faith on the part of the county.

The Democratic majority of the legislature states that taxpayers who live, work and shop in villages are entitled to the same benefit afforded taxpayers in Nassau County's three towns and two cities. Town and cities within Nassau County already receive a share of the revenues.

The Republican caucus of the legislature agrees with its counterparts when it comes to a county initiative to share sales tax revenues with villages. "It recognizes that residents of the villages contribute to the economic well being of the county and that stores within these villages and residents do generate sales tax incomes to the county," said Lazaro. "It's an effort to recognize that contribution."

The Village of Mineola, with a population of 18,994, will get $11,037 of the $250,000. By comparison, a village such as Freeport, which has a population of 39,894, will be receiving $23,182.

Village of Mineola Mayor John P. Colbert said the money would be part of the village budget for the fiscal year June 1, 2001 and May 31, 2002 and would go into the General Fund. The money would most likely be earmarked for parks and recreation, according to the mayor. "That's what I think I will put it towards since everybody uses parks and recreation in some way," Colbert added.

With the county's recent financial troubles well documented, the amount of money allocated to the villages will not be a blow to the county's economy, lawmakers feel.