Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman submitted a $3.88 billion 2023 budget proposal Thursday headlined by no increases in the property tax levy and more than $160 million in spending than allocated in the 2022 budget.

The budget, Blakeman’s first since being elected in November, is more than a $3 million increase from Nassau’s $3.5 billion 2022 budget. The county plans on spending almost $990 million for its salaries, wages and fees, the largest expense in the proposal.

The Blakeman administration’s mission in developing the budget, according to the proposal, is to deliver the same essential services to Nassau’s residents and cut unnecessary costs without raising property taxes. The administration’s vision includes maintaining the quality of life for residents, containing expense levels, consolidating government and sharing services where applicable and providing governmental services efficiently and diligently.

Out of the $3.5 billion major operating funds in the budget, the county’s proposed general fund is more than $2 billion, making up 61% of the overall fund expenses. More than $960 million, or 28.8% of the operating funds’ expense, is allocated to police services, according to the budget.

The budget includes funds to add 86 new positions throughout the county, including 36 police officers. Blakeman, in a statement on Facebook, said he will continue to advocate to repeal state-enforced bail reform laws and combat a proposed increase to commuters’ daily trips into Manhattan.

“Despite inflation driving up costs, my budget for 2023 holds the line on county property taxes while boosting the number of police to keep you safe,” Blakeman said. “We’ll continue to protect your wallet and your family while lobbying state Democrats to repeal “cashless bail” laws and stop the $34.50 tax planned for commuters entering NYC.”

The Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s proposed congestion pricing plan, according to the project’s environmental assessment, could increase the daily entry fee into Manhattan. The plan calls for a toll to be paid to enter a zone that extends from 60th Street to the Battery.

If implemented, peak-hour travel could cost between $9 and $23. Off-peak travel could cost between $7 and $17 and overnight travel might cost between $5 and $12.

Sales tax accounts for 45.9%, $1.527 billion, of the county’s anticipated total revenue, the highest percentage among the overall revenue. The anticipated growth would be 1.8% from the prior 2022 projection of $1.375 billion.

“Economic conditions create new challenges for the government each year, as we continue to rebuild our local economy post COVID-19 pandemic; I am pleased to say that Nassau is Back,” Blakeman said in a letter attached with the proposal. 

Property taxes make up more than 22% of the anticipated revenue, the second-highest percentage, according to the budget. The county anticipates $755.3 million, the same as the 2022 budget, Blakeman said.

Nassau also expects to receive $261.4 million in state aid and $161.1 million in federal aid, increases from $226 million and $156.7 million, respectively, from the 2022 budget. The federal funds outlined in the budget, according to the proposal, are not from the American Rescue Plan. The plan has provided Nassau with $385 million, according to the proposal.

Blakeman was required to submit the budget proposal for legislative review by Sept. 15, according to the county charter. The Nassau Interim Finance Authority, a state-appointed board that has oversight on the county’s finances, makes the final determinations and approval on the budget. Lauding his team’s work on the budget, Blakeman said he hopes that NIFA will soon relinquish its power over the county’s finances.

“As a result of the decisions my administration has made, the fiscal condition of the county has improved which should cause NIFA to end the control period and to return ultimate financial control to the county’s duly elected representatives,” Blakeman said in the letter.