With Nassau County residents facing a possible 15 percent county tax increase included in the budget passed by the Democratic Majority in the Legislature, which would have amounted to approximately $160 for the average household in the county, County Executive Tom Gulotta vetoed that measure and instituted a 9.1 percent tax increase in its place. The move was approved by the Nassau Interim Finance Authority (NIFA) so that the average household in Nassau County can expect to pay an additional $94.12 in the county portion of their property taxes.

"It has been a long-standing policy of this administration to tax only that which is necessary to provide for essential county services and not one penny more. Taxpayer money is best kept in the pockets of the taxpayers who can utilize it to improve the quality of their lives," Gulotta said in a statement following the veto of the 15 percent tax increase.

The 9.1 percent tax increase is expected to raise $54.5 million in revenue. While the Democrats' 15 percent tax increase proposal could have raised in excess of $90 million, the county executive had to search for other means to raise revenue or cut spending in order to achieve a balanced budget that would meet with NIFA's approval.

Gulotta trimmed the budget by cutting $6.5 million in police department salaries. He also estimated a greater attrition rate of 9 percent as opposed to the 7.4 percent realized in fiscal year 2000 because of the upcoming change in the county's administration. He also projected that sales tax revenues would rise by 3 percent, raising another $13 million. In addition, Gulotta used $10 million from a 1999 surplus to pay interest on the county's debt.

Legislative Majority Leader Judy Jacobs expressed disappointment that Gulotta vetoed what the Democratic caucus believed was a solid budget that would have enabled county executive-elect Tom Suozzi to begin his term with a firm foundation.

Jacobs called the items Gulotta put in the budget to make up for the 15 percent tax increase "risky," citing an increase in sales tax revenue that may never come to fruition and the $10 million 1999 surplus she called a "one shot." She also said counting on a 9 percent attrition rate was risky and could impact services.

The legislative majority leader said property tax increases aren't something the lawmakers set out to do, but, in this case, the 15 percent would have raised the money necessary to put the county back on track.

The difference between the Democratic legislature's 15 percent tax increase and the 9.1 percent increase approved by NIFA is only about $50 to $60 a year, according to Jacobs. "Instead of being a firm footing, we're putting this county on sandy soil," she said.

For the county executive, the goal was to keep the tax increase to a minimum. "The residents of Nassau County have suffered enough as a result of the attacks on the World Trade Center, with many families being directly affected by the loss of a loved one, many more affected with the loss of jobs and all residents through its effect on the local economy," Gulotta said.

For residents of Mineola, as well as other communities on Long Island, tax increases are nothing new. For the 2001-2002 fiscal year, residents of the Village of Mineola witnessed an 8.6 percent tax increase in the General Fund as well as increased in the tax rate of the Pool Fund and Library Fund. Residents of the Mineola School District, with the passing of the 2001-2002 school year budget, saw an increase of 9 percent from the previous year's budget and resident of the Town of North Hempstead witnessed a 5.94 percent increase in the General Town Tax.