Nassau County, N.Y. Executive Ed Mangano proposed a 2016 budget that would raise property taxes by 1.2%.
The $2.95 billion fiscal plan Mangano announced on Sept. 15 reduces annual spending by $33.3 million due largely to lower utility costs. However, the Republican county executive emphasized that lower sales tax receipts and higher healthcare expenses make the tax hike necessary.
"As in every year, economic conditions typically create new challenges for government," said Mangano in his budget letter. "While challenges remain, they will not serve as obstacles to maintaining Nassau County's quality of life."
Mangano's fiscal plan also includes Nassau borrowing $60 million to pay tax refunds. The Republican-controlled Nassau County Legislature has until early November to adopt the 2016 budget.
Mangano also announced Tuesday that Nassau Regional Off-Track Betting will select this fall a location for a temporary casino that would operate for a maximum of up to 18 months while a permanent site is eyed. His budget plan projects $20 million in new revenue from the casino, which would have up to 1,000 video slot machines and electronic table games. Nassau OTB had planned to open a mini casino in Westbury at a vacant commercial building before withdrawing the proposal last February due to strong community opposition.
Nassau County is on Long Island, bordering New York City, and has about 1.3 million residents. It is rated A2 by Moody's Investors Service.
