Howardsmovingssoon
09-08-2005, 12:42 AM
Jail contract analysis source of worry
BY MICHAEL ROTHFELD
STAFF WRITER
September 8, 2005
County Executive Thomas Suozzi's proposed wage and benefits package for officers at the Nassau jail could cost taxpayers an extra $140 million if it leads to reopening of the county's three police union contracts, a legislative budget analyst reported yesterday.
The analysis submitted to county lawmakers envisions a "worse case scenario" of the risk if the contract with the Sheriff Officers Association is approved, wrote Eric Naughton, director of the Office of Legislative Budget Review. He noted that the police unions' deals contain clauses enabling them to ask arbitrators to reopen their contracts if another union negotiates a better deal.
"It's a matter of grave concern," Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said of the findings.
Union and county officials dismissed the report and said the contract, which would raise wages by 21.7 percent during six years, would save the county money. Chief Deputy County Executive Anthony Cancellieri said he was "very confident" there would be no ill effects.
Union President John Duer responded, "We don't think these numbers are accurate."
Naughton released a separate report concluding that the jail contract, independent of any effect on the police agreements, would cost taxpayers $60.5 million through 2010, consistent with Suozzi's multiyear financial plan.
That's $30.7 million less than the administration's projections for its 1,000 correction officers if costs escalated at past rates. Lawmakers from both parties approved the contract in committees yesterday, sending it to the full legislature Sept. 19.
The focus there is likely to be the potential threat from police unions. Those unions haven't announced their intentions.
While police earn more than correction officers, Naughton's report makes clear that jail officers' pay would increase faster under the proposed contract. For example, longevity pay, a bonus based on years of service, increases on average by 58 percent in the contract, while police went up by 28 percent. County officials contend that is not a problem because the increases are in different years. But Legis. Lisanne Altmann (D-Great Neck) said based on Naughton's report, "the risk is huge."
"I am trying to sort through the risk to the county," she said. "If it's great, I can't vote for it."
Copyright 2005 Newsday
And who is missing in any analysis or fiscal impact statement...Howard the Duck Weitzman.
Seems His fiscal impact statement is a little less insightful. Mike Rothfield, why didn't you mention that in your article?????? Hes the Comptroller, he was supposed to report on this stuff. Oh thats right, he's too busy at street fairs with his auditors
BY MICHAEL ROTHFELD
STAFF WRITER
September 8, 2005
County Executive Thomas Suozzi's proposed wage and benefits package for officers at the Nassau jail could cost taxpayers an extra $140 million if it leads to reopening of the county's three police union contracts, a legislative budget analyst reported yesterday.
The analysis submitted to county lawmakers envisions a "worse case scenario" of the risk if the contract with the Sheriff Officers Association is approved, wrote Eric Naughton, director of the Office of Legislative Budget Review. He noted that the police unions' deals contain clauses enabling them to ask arbitrators to reopen their contracts if another union negotiates a better deal.
"It's a matter of grave concern," Minority Leader Peter Schmitt (R-Massapequa) said of the findings.
Union and county officials dismissed the report and said the contract, which would raise wages by 21.7 percent during six years, would save the county money. Chief Deputy County Executive Anthony Cancellieri said he was "very confident" there would be no ill effects.
Union President John Duer responded, "We don't think these numbers are accurate."
Naughton released a separate report concluding that the jail contract, independent of any effect on the police agreements, would cost taxpayers $60.5 million through 2010, consistent with Suozzi's multiyear financial plan.
That's $30.7 million less than the administration's projections for its 1,000 correction officers if costs escalated at past rates. Lawmakers from both parties approved the contract in committees yesterday, sending it to the full legislature Sept. 19.
The focus there is likely to be the potential threat from police unions. Those unions haven't announced their intentions.
While police earn more than correction officers, Naughton's report makes clear that jail officers' pay would increase faster under the proposed contract. For example, longevity pay, a bonus based on years of service, increases on average by 58 percent in the contract, while police went up by 28 percent. County officials contend that is not a problem because the increases are in different years. But Legis. Lisanne Altmann (D-Great Neck) said based on Naughton's report, "the risk is huge."
"I am trying to sort through the risk to the county," she said. "If it's great, I can't vote for it."
Copyright 2005 Newsday
And who is missing in any analysis or fiscal impact statement...Howard the Duck Weitzman.
Seems His fiscal impact statement is a little less insightful. Mike Rothfield, why didn't you mention that in your article?????? Hes the Comptroller, he was supposed to report on this stuff. Oh thats right, he's too busy at street fairs with his auditors