Moving to Council Districts adds no new costs.
No more Council Members: We will still have four Council Members
No new positions: No need to add new positions since we still have four Council Members
No new staff: No new staff since we still have four Council Members
No new offices: No need for new offices since we already have offices for four Council Members. And no need for District Offices since Council Members will live in their Districts. No other Town has opened district offices.
Here are the facts: Four other Towns on Long Island have made the switch: Hempstead, North Hempstead, Brookhaven and Southold. None have raised expenses because of Council Districts. For example, in Brookhaven there has been zero increase in the general tax fund since Council Districts.
In Hempstead, Councilwoman Dorothy Goosby says, “Costs have not risen because of Council Districts. If anything, Council Districts have held down costs because we need to report back to our districts on spending.”
In Brookhaven, Councilman Steve Fiore-Rosenfeld says, “Council Districts have not raised government expenses in Brookhaven.”
If Council District raised costs, why would the Conservative Party, which fights taxes at all levels, support Council Districts?
Here’s an important sign: none of the other Towns have switched back from Council Districts, yet groups in other Towns (Riverhead, Islip, Oyster Bay and Babylon are looking at making the switch.)
Don’t Be Intimidated by Scare Tactics
The opposition will claim that Council Districts will raise taxes. That’s a scare tactic to protect the status quo. It is an argument made by political insiders who want to retain their special power and access. Let’s stick to the facts: Council Districts have not added costs in any Town that has implemented them.