NORTH MERRICK, N.Y. (CBS 2) — A proposed tax on sewer usage by non-profits such as hospitals, colleges, and fire departments could bring in $38 million a year.
But as CBS 2’s Jennifer McLogan reports, taxpayers worry they will now be stuck paying for it all.
Critics call the sewer fee — a “toilet tax” in Nassau County. Next year’s budget — for the first time — calls for previously tax-exempt public school districts, library districts and fire districts to increase their budgets, raise taxes, and, they fear, pass along the financial burden to taxpayers.
“It is being called taxpayer relief act when actually all we are doing is soaking the taxpayers with a toilet tax or sewer fee,” said Nassau County legislator Dave Denenberg, D-Merrick.
Democrats in the legislature are blasting the Republican county executive’s proposed “water usage fee”– that would charge one penny per gallon of water entering Nassau’s sewage system. They claim it would bankrupt hospitals, schools and more.
“We have 10 buildings and we have an irrigation system on our football and athletic fields. What would it mean in dollars and cents? Over a quarter of a million dollars,” said Hempstead School Board president Charles Renfroe.
Renfroe said water is needed for school toilets, sinks, showers and landscaping. A North Merrick fire house uses 700,000 gallons a year, translating to $7,000 in fees. Libraries, too, are worried.
“We have to either raise taxes to get that money, libraries would have to, or they have to cut programs to get the money,” said Jackie Thresher of the Nassau library system.
But the county executive said his sewer reforms would eventually lower rates for homeowners and businesses.
“I inherited a sewer district authority that’s $28 million out of balance. Nowhere else in New York state do not-for-profits get a free ride,” County Executive Ed Mangano said.
Critics said “passing along” taxes does not “freeze” taxes. A public hearing on the water usage fee will be held Monday.
If the budget is passed, the new sewer fees would go into effect in Nassau County beginning July 1, 2011.
Next year’s budget — for the first time — calls for previously tax-exempt public school districts, library districts and fire districts to increase their budgets, raise taxes, and, they fear, pass along the financial burden to taxpayers.
Well DUH........of course it will be passed on to the already overburdened taxpayers!!!! Hey....that is what you call PROGRESSIVE. It's those negative regressives that would try to stop such a progressive tax.........don't knock it.......right???
When the INSANE are running the ASYLUM In individuals, insanity is rare; but in groups, parties, nations and epochs, it is the rule. -- Friedrich Nietzsche
“How fortunate for those in power that people never think.” Adolph Hitler
Attention City Assessor {for life} Mastro and Mayor {for life} SOS-Here's another way to screw the taxpayers to the wall! Since you refuse to cut any pork at City Hall and the curb tax is going nowhere-check this one out. No one will complain too much.
This is a win-win. Forward this to the "fast thinkers" in the finance department. {Before they are fired for idiotic thinking} You can keep useless nonprofits like the DSIC going on the taxpayer dime and find a new revenue stream.
simple solution to the toilet tax --- build an out house
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Actually, this was proposed by a Republican, just like the Metroplex was. I wonder, though, if they're saying it's a sewer tax, they need to measure the amount of water that's going into the sewer, not the amount that anyone is using. I realize that some of the things they were saying would still count, but watering the football field wouldn't, that would be used and wouldn't (or shouldn't) run off. It's a matter of where they're measuring. Also, for the firefighters, would they be measuring what's coming out of fire hydrants to fight fires? Would they then be able to bill for each gallon to the owner of the property that they are fighting the fire at, since that water wouldn't be used if they weren't fighting that fire?
People will just say it's a horrible idea, then they will expand it, never-endingly, like the ambulance district that won't bring in enough money in the first year.
Also, for the firefighters, would they be measuring what's coming out of fire hydrants to fight fires? Would they then be able to bill for each gallon to the owner of the property that they are fighting the fire at, since that water wouldn't be used if they weren't fighting that fire?
you are full of crap .. I never expressed support for this "toilet tax" and you know that
go stick your head in a toilet
George Amedore & Christian Klueg for NYS Senate 2016 Pete Vroman for State Assembly 2016[/size][/color]
"For this is what America is all about. It is the uncrossed desert and the unclimbed ridge. It is the star that is not reached and the harvest that is sleeping in the unplowed ground." Lyndon Baines Johnson
Logged
Attention City Assessor {for life} Mastro and Mayor {for life} SOS-Here's another way to screw the taxpayers to the wall! Since you refuse to cut any pork at City Hall and the curb tax is going nowhere-check this one out. No one will complain too much. 
