Mineola, NY - Today the Nassau County Legislature passed a bill to cut almost $100 Million Dollars in county fees incurred by Nassau residents. This money will be made up with tens of tens of millions of dollars of excess sales tax revenue over the projected sales tax revenue in the county budget.
The legislation was introduced by the Majority on September 13th and passed unanimously through Legislative Committees on that day. This past Monday, the Majority attempted to pass the Bill, but it was defeated 10-8 along party lines, with all minority legislators voting against. Legislator Kopel was absent due to religious observance, Legislator Lafazan abstained from the vote. 12 votes were needed to advance the legislation, due to a procedural motion made by members of the Democratic Minority Caucus.
Today's vote passed 11-8 with all 8 Minority legislators abstaining.
"Today the legislature passed the Majority's bill to cut $100 million in county fees and provide much needed relief for Nassau residents,” Presiding Officer Richard Nicolello said. “While the county executive dithers with her working group, residents who file deeds or refinance mortgages will continue to pay thousands of dollars in fees. I urge her to sign these bills immediately and bring lasting relief for residents."
Reports show that for this year's budget the county is projected to take in $300 million more than the administration projected. In comparison to 2019, before the pandemic, this year the county will take in $130 million more in sales tax revenue than in 2019.
"After suffering through a reassessment that resulted in tax increases for 65% of residents, Nassau property owners are in desperate need of relief,” Legislator Bill Gaylor, co-sponsor of the legislation said. “This legislation will help our seniors, our veterans, working families and those on fixed incomes struggling to be able to afford to live Nassau County. I urge the County Executive to sign these bills immediately, to provide immediate relief.”
The fees that would be eliminated or reduced are:
| Existing | Proposed |
Public Safety Fee | $55 | $0 |
Tax Map Verification Fee | $355 | $0 |
Recording Fee | $300 | $50 |
Tax Map Verification Fee: Currently, this $350 fee is charged by the Assessor for the verification of the section, block and lot information contained in any deeds, mortgages or satisfactions, or any modifications or consolidations that are presented for recording.
NEW FEE UNDER MAJORITY PASSED BILL: ZERO
Recording Fee: Currently, this $300 fee is charged by the County for the recording and indexing of deeds, mortgages, “other instruments”, liens, or statutory notices of liens and for the satisfaction or cancellation of a lien or statutory notice of a lien. It also applies to corrections of such documents that would need to be re-indexed.
NEW FEE UNDER MAJORITY PASSED BILL: $50
Public Safety Fee: Currently, a $55 fee is assessed on traffic and camera violations issued on or after January 2, 2017.
NEW FEE UNDER MAJORITY PASSED BILL: ZERO
Suffolk Supreme Court has held that their similar mortgage recording fee is invalid.
Nassau Supreme Court has held that the tax map verification fee is illegal. Both cases are up on appeal.
"I have continually expressed my vehement opposition to these fees that burden the already overtaxed residents of Nassau County," Nassau County Clerk Maureen O'Connell said. "I overwhelmingly support the swift passage of this legislation and for the County Executive to sign it into law immediately."