North Hempstead, NY – Town of North Hempstead Supervisor Judi Bosworth and the Town Board this week filed the Town’s Efficiency Report with the State, a requirement for residents to qualify for tax rebates under Governor Andrew M. Cuomo’s Property Tax Freeze Credit initiative.

The Property Tax Freeze Credit is a two-year tax relief program that gives qualifying New York State homeowners a rebate for any increases in their local property taxes on primary residences. In order for the credit to be available to the homeowners in a local taxing jurisdiction, the jurisdiction must comply with the New York State Property Tax Cap and, after the first year, must also develop an efficiency plan. The Town of North Hempstead’s 2015 budget stayed under the State’s allowed two percent tax cap.

“The cost-cutting measures reflected in the Town’s Efficiency Plan are the result of much brain-storming and creative thinking on the part of my entire team,” said Bosworth. “I am proud to report to the taxpayers of North Hempstead that we will be saving over $3 million over the next four years and that we have met all of the State’s requirements for the Property tax Freeze Credit.”

The Town’s Efficiency Plan highlights cost cutting across multiple departments totaling $3,458,500 over four years. The savings plan includes many cost-cutting measures that have already been implemented:

• The consolidation of the Commissioner roles for the Department of Services for the Aging (“DOSA”) and Community Services: Saved a full year’s salary plus fringe benefits.
  • $144,000 in savings for 2015
• Renegotiation of Progressive Waste Contract
  • $230,00 in savings for 2015
• Engagement of NAPA for Inventory Management
  •  $61,500 in savings for 2015
    
• Bringing legal work in-house
  • $363,000 in savings for 2015
    
• Combining Public Safety and Public Parking Commissioner
  • $20,000 in savings for 2015