Budget

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THE LEAGUE OF WOMEN VOTERS ^®
OF SUFFOLK COUNTY

Suffolk County 2008 Operating Budget

Budget overview:
The total Suffolk County operating budget is $2.7 billion, which represents $1,978 for each adult and child in the County.

Suffolk County prepares three budgets each year: the operating budget, the capital program budget and the budget for the Suffolk County Community College. The capital budget must be adopted by the Legislature by June 30 for approval by the County Executive. The 2008 capital budget is $239 million. The Community College budget is approved prior to the start of the academic year on September 1. The Community College budget is $165 million.

The following paragraphs address only the 2008 operating budget. The fiscal year for the operating budget starts January 1.

The information included here can only be considered an overview of a quite complex subject.

Budget timeline:

The County Executive holds two hearings on his proposed budget in August.

The County Executive submits his proposed budget to the Legislature the third Friday in September.

The Legislature holds two hearings, completed by October 31.

By November 10, the Legislature must act to amend the proposed budget, and submit it to the County Executive.

The County Executive may veto the whole budget, or individual line items, before November 21, or the budget is adopted as submitted.
Points to keep in mind:
Revenue comes from property taxes, sales tax, state aid, federal aid, and other sources.

The revenue stream included in the budget is only an estimate of the amounts that can be anticipated. If retail sales fall, the 8.625% sales tax yield will not be as great as anticipated. Similarly, if homeowners and business owners do not promptly pay their property tax, there is a shortfall. The county borrows money in anticipation of receiving this revenue; therefore, debt service is required because of this borrowing. Chart A provides a general view of the revenue anticipated in 2008.

Expenditures are for personnel, debt service, and a wide variety of services, such as police, education and economic assistance. Some expenditures are mandated by the state and federal government, which restricts the freedom of the county to apportion expenditures.

The proposed 2008 expenditures are shown in the Chart B. The largest functions are economic assistance and public safety. Transfer to other funds represents inter-departmental transfers for services, such as personnel benefits, vehicle maintenance, etc. About one third of the $2.7 billion budget is "mandated" by various state and federal programs, such as Medicaid. The remainder is "discretionary."

The budgets of the 10 towns in the county are separate from the county budget.

Comparison – The full valuation of property in the county is $314 billion. The Suffolk County budget is about as large as the annual expenditures of two states – South Dakota and Wyoming. The county population --1.4 million – is larger than 12 states.

Expenditure details:
PUBLIC SAFETY - Police, Sheriff, District Attorney, Probation, jail staff (A portion is mandated.), Fire, Rescue and Emergency Services

TRANSPORTATION - Highway and fleet maintenance, bus program, and LIRR payments (A portion is mandated.)

ECONOMIC ASSISTANCE - Medicaid and welfare (All is mandated, except staff costs.)

CULTURE AND RECREATION - Parks

EDUCATION - Handicapped children (A portion is mandated.) and Community College

HOME AND COMMUNITY SERVICES - Sewer district operation and maintenance, including Southwest Sewer District

DEBT SERVICE - (All is mandated.)

Chart A - 2008 Suffolk County Revenues

(All revenues are in millions)

Chart B - 2008 Suffolk County Expenditures

(All expenditures are in millions)

REFERENCES

Legislature's Office of Budget Review

2008 Recommended Operating Budget (1,217 pages)

The League of Women Voters is a nonpartisan, volunteer organization working to promote political responsibility through the informed, active participation of citizens in government. The League does not support or oppose any political party or candidate. It does support or oppose legislation after serious study and substantial agreement among its members. Membership is open to everyone.

For information about membership in the League, call the telephone number for your local League listed in the left margin, or (631) 862-6860. You may also send e-mail.

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Updated April 27, 2008