(Hauppauge, NY-September 14, 2012) I applaud the Suffolk County Legislature for protecting Suffolk County residents by approving the $20 million sale of land in Yaphank and the $23 million sale of the John J. Foley Nursing Home. While I understand that both of these issues may have been difficult to vote on, I am proud that our legislature has voted to save the Suffolk County taxpayer $43 million.
The sale of the John J. Foley Nursing Home, which is projected to run a $14 million deficit for 2012, will provide recurring savings of $4-$10 million dollars per year for the Suffolk County taxpayer. Our administration has required the purchasers to keep all of the patients at the nursing facility and offer all of the employees positions at the facility. This sale is a win-win for Suffolk County taxpayers.
The Yaphank land sale will provide $20 million in budget mitigating measures as well as provide a yearly infusion of $3.1 million in tax revenue for various taxing jurisdictions:
· South Country School District-$1.5 million per year
· Longwood School District-$500,000 per year
· South Country Library District-$90,000 per year
· Longwood Library District-$28,000 per year
· Suffolk County-$484,000 per year
· Town of Brookhaven-$205,000 per year
· Yaphank Fire District-$203,000 per year
· Lighting District-$66,000 per year
The votes that took place yesterday demonstrate the legislature’s commitment to the Suffolk County taxpayer and reducing Suffolk County’s deficit.