Combining 2 Countywide Positions Not A Good Idea

Sunday, July 21, 2013 at 2:25PM
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Dear Suffolk County community members:

If you have not heard, a proposed plan to eliminate 2 Countywide elected Officials that presently answer directly to the people is coming up for a vote. This proposal will strongly decrease accountability. We as community members can help make a difference by informing the Suffolk County Legislature that we want them to vote “NO” to this proposal (IR#1567).

During these difficult economic times, we should not eliminate the checks and balances process. This process should be a non-partisan and non-political decision. As a Banker, for over 30 years, I believe strongly that checks and balances are vital and there should remain a separate Comptroller’s and Treasurer’s Office in Suffolk County. There needs to be independent oversight of its finances, having the jurisdiction for the money in the hands of one person.

The Suffolk County Treasurer’s Office with the Department of Finance and Taxation continues to serve the public with the utmost professionalism, courteousness and experience, despite the fact that staffing levels have decreased from 72 in the late ’80s to a current level of 40 full time employees with a drop again to 33 full time employees.

Some of the key responsibilities of the SUFFOLK COUNTY TREASURER are:

• CUSTODY OF ALL PUBLIC FUNDS BELONGING TO THE COUNTY as CHIEF INVESTMENT OFFICER serving over 1.5 million Suffolk County residents.
• MANAGING THE CASH and RECONCILING ALL COUNTY BANK ACCOUNTS,             less the Department of Social Services.
• MANAGING COUNTY PROPERTY TAX ASSESSMENTS.
• COLLECTS DELINQUENT REAL ESTATE TAXES as CHIEF TAX ENFORCING OFFICER.
• ENFORCES DUE DILIGENCE PROCESS OF CONTACTING EVERY PROPERTY OWNER TO ADVISE HIM/HER/BUSINESS THAT THEIR PROPERTY IS IN JEOPARDY OF FORECLOSURE. VITAL IN MANAGING REAL ESTATE TAX REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY. 
• ADMINISTER AND COLLECT ALL HOTEL/MOTEL TAX DUE THROUGHOUT THE COUNTY, AGAIN VITAL IN MANAGING REVENUE FOR THE COUNTY.
• DEPOSITING ALL FUNDS AND MANAGING BANK DEPOSITS.

THESE RESPONSIBILITIES ARE JUST A FEW OF THE MAJOR JOB FUNCTIONS THAT THE SUFFOLK COUNTY TREASURER PERFORMS THAT ARE VITAL TO REMAIN INDEPENDENT.

SEE MORE INFORMATION AT: http://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/departments/treasurer.aspx#

Please consider attending this very important hearing tomorrow,

MONDAY, JULY 22, 2013 AT 10AM at the Suffolk County Legislature in Hauppauge and/or sending an email with your comments on IR#1567 to: Annmarie.pastore@suffolkcountyny.gov and

your Suffolk County Legislator at: http://legis.suffolkcountyny.gov/.

I appreciate your assistance, consideration and action regarding your response to this very time sensitive issue.

Please promote and spread the word to your fellow community members and Suffolk County Legislators to vote “NO” to the proposed merger and elimination of the Suffolk County Treasurer position and related layoffs.

Thank you

Sincerely,

Paul E. Borowski

A Very Concerned Suffolk County Resident

Article originally appeared on Smithtown Matters - Online Local News about Smithtown, Kings Park, St James, Nesconset, Commack, Hauppauge, Ft. Salonga (https://www.smithtownmatters.com/).