S T A T E   O F   N E W   Y O R K
 ________________________________________________________________________
 
                                   11057
 
                           I N  A S S E M B L Y
 
                              October 7, 2020
                                ___________
 
 Introduced  by  COMMITTEE ON RULES -- (at request of M. of A. Thiele) --
   read once and referred to the Committee on Local Governments
 
 AN ACT making an appropriation to the East End  Supervisors  and  Mayors
   Association for a feasibility study update relating to the creation of
   Peconic county
 
   THE  PEOPLE OF THE STATE OF NEW YORK, REPRESENTED IN SENATE AND ASSEM-
 BLY, DO ENACT AS FOLLOWS:
 
   Section 1. The Legislature hereby finds that the creation  of  Peconic
 county from the towns of East Hampton, Riverhead, Shelter Island, South-
 ampton,  and Southold, from the existing county of Suffolk, would estab-
 lish New York state's 63rd county.
   The territory proposed to become Peconic county has  a  population  of
 136,793  or  9.2%  of  Suffolk  county's population. The territory which
 would become Peconic county makes up 45.7% of the real property tax base
 of Suffolk county. It is estimated the territory pays about 15%  of  the
 sales  tax.  If  Peconic county were created, it would have a population
 larger than 40 of New York State's 57 counties, outside of the  city  of
 New York.
   The territory proposed to be Peconic county is largely rural and exur-
 ban. The economic base of this region remains largely agriculture, fish-
 ing, second homes, and tourism. In contrast, western Suffolk is suburban
 with a much more commercial and industrial based economy. The population
 density  of the west is more than six times that of the proposed Peconic
 county. As a result of the long narrow  geography  of  Suffolk  and  the
 different  demographics  of  east and west, Suffolk county current main-
 tains three separate county centers in Hauppauge,  Yaphank,  and  River-
 head.
   In  1994, this legislature appropriated fifty thousand dollars towards
 the preparation of a Peconic county feasibility study. In 1995, "Peconic
 County Financial Feasibility Study" was issued. The study concluded that
 Peconic  county  was  financially  feasible.  Specifically,  the   study
 concluded  that  real  property taxes could be reduced by 50% in the new
 county with the same level or better services. Any financial  impact  to
 remaining Suffolk county would be minimal.
 
  EXPLANATION--Matter in ITALICS (underscored) is new; matter in brackets
              

                       [ ] is old law to be omitted.
                                                            LBD17293-01-0

 A. 11057                            2
 
   In 1996, a referendum was held in the territory proposed to be Peconic
 county which requested that the legislature provide for a binding refer-
 endum on the question of the creation of Peconic county. That referendum
 passed  by  a  margin  of 71% to 29%. However, no binding referendum was
 ever held.
   The  legislature  wishes  to  pursue  measures which could improve the
 delivery of governmental services at a reduced cost. The Peconic  County
 Financial Feasibility Study must be updated in order to make an informed
 assessment of the financial impact of a new county.
   It  is  the  purpose of this act to update the feasibility of creating
 Peconic county. The study would be undertaken by the East  End  Supervi-
 sors and Mayors Association.
   §  2.  The  sum of two hundred thousand dollars ($200,000), or so much
 thereof as may be necessary, is hereby appropriated in the  fiscal  year
 2020-2021 to the East End Supervisors and Mayors Association, out of the
 moneys  in  the  state treasury in the general fund to the credit of the
 local assistance account, not otherwise  appropriated,  and  made  imme-
 diately available for the update of a financial feasibility study of the
 creation  of  Peconic  county. Such moneys shall be payable on the audit
 and warrant of the comptroller on vouchers certified or approved by  the
 department of state in the manner prescribed by law.
   § 3. This act shall take effect immediately.