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(Hauppauge, NY) – Suffolk County Comptroller John M. Kennedy, Jr. is dedicated to upholding the highest standards of fiscal responsibility. To that end, he partnered with three+one, a financial data provider, to ensure that County funds are properly collateralized in accordance with NYS General Municipal Law § 10.

As a result of the Comptroller’s efforts, an automated collateral reporting process is now in place. It enables Suffolk County to verify the appropriate insurance and protection of public funds on a bimonthly basis. The frequent updates allow the Comptroller to confirm that millions of taxpayer dollars are secured across each County department, even when new accounts are opened.

Since the implementation of this strategic monitoring system, all participating banks have remained in compliance with State laws regarding the safeguarding of taxpayer dollars. The benefits of this program include enhanced security and improved visibility into Suffolk County’s financial standing.

Comptroller Kennedy stated, “I would like to thank my dedicated staff and three+one for their diligence in making this important endeavor a reality. As always, I extend my gratitude to County Executive Edward Romaine for his strong support of the Department of Audit and Control. I take my responsibility to protect the economic well-being of Suffolk County Taxpayers very seriously. This collateral initiative significantly strengthens the County’s financial security.”
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Proposal will save hundreds of millions of gallons of water

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine and local officials announced on Thursday, December 5, a project for sewage effluent reuse at Bergen Point Wastewater Treatment Plant. The plan involves using treated effluent to irrigate the adjacent golf course and in the plant’s internal workings.

“This is one of ten county wastewater treatment plants that we are currently considering for water reuse,” said Romaine. “By utilizing what otherwise would have been a byproduct, we can decrease the pressure on our aquifer by hundreds of millions of gallons a year and even help recharge the aquifer.”

The project is based on Riverhead’s successful implementation at a town-owned wastewater treatment plant and golf course. Estimated to be in service within the next 18-24 months at Bergen Point, the reuse system is estimated to save 20 million gallons of water per year on irrigation alone. In addition, the internal plant mechanisms utilizing reuse water can save up to approximately two million gallons of per day.

“This project pilot will let Bergen Point be known for helping water quantity, as well as water quality. This is a great step forward to see if we can effectively take the wastewater and, instead of letting it flow into the ocean, use the effluent for irrigation and other purposes to help recharge the aquifer and reduce the nitrates in our water. I thank the County Executive and hope all these planned projects will work together to improve Suffolk’s water quality,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey (LD-14).

“Moving forward, we need to do more recharging and water reuse. Bergen Point is just one of many sites where a golf course is close to a treatment plant. But golf course irrigation is just one example of ways in which we are now moving forward together, the Legislature and County Executive, to reduce the pollutants, replenish the aquifer, and improve our water quality,” said Deputy Presiding Officer Steven Flotteron (LD-11).

“It is great to work with County Executive Ed Romaine and his team of expert professionals on important water quality initiatives. I thank him for his continued commitment to the health and well-being of the residents of Suffolk County,” said Legislator Tom Donnelly (LD-17).

"The success of the Riverhead Sewage Treatment Plant's Water Reuse Program, which was a pilot and has been in place since 2015, has been phenomenal.  Suffolk County plans to build on this success with water reuse at the Bergen Point Sewage Treat Plant, partnering with the Bergen Point Golf Course next door. With the passing of Proposition 2 by the voters in November, the funding for infrastructure improvements exists.  With that comes the possibility of more water reuse projects throughout the County, which is an exciting prospect," said Legislator Ann Welker (LD-2).

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Suffolk County Voters Overwhelmingly Approve Proposition 2

HAUPPAUGE, NY – Suffolk County Executive Ed Romaine applauded the passage of Proposition 2 as part of the Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act to improve water quality and fund long term investments in clean water systems and technologies. The proposition passed with more than 71 percent of the vote.

“Clean water is essential to the long-term viability of our region. I applaud the voters for prioritizing the need to protect our bays and our drinking water,” said Romaine. “With the passage of this referendum, we will begin to lay the foundation to enhance sewer projects and clean water infrastructure in Suffolk County.” 

“With Prop 2’s overwhelming approval, Suffolk County can now embark on a long-term plan to expand and upgrade Suffolk’s aging wastewater infrastructure and establish a new, stable, and long-term funding source for wastewater improvement projects,” said Presiding Officer Kevin J. McCaffrey. “A yes vote was good science, good economics, and good sense. This is a proud moment for the County, and for my colleagues and the stakeholders who made it happen."

The Suffolk Water Quality Restoration Act was signed into law by the County Executive and approved by the Suffolk County Legislature and New York State earlier this year but was contingent on voter approval.

The bill will extend the existing one-quarter percent sales tax that funds water quality initiatives and establish a new one-eighth percent sales to modernize sewers and fund critical wastewater infrastructure in Suffolk County.

The funding mechanism goes into effect in March 2025 and is expected to generate $49 million in 2025. Funds will be available for use beginning in 2026.

The act is projected to generate nearly $3 billion in clean water infrastructure funds through 2060 with an even distribution towards sewer projects and Innovative and Alternative On-Site Wastewater Treatment Systems (I/A Systems).

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